It’s been a while since I last posted, and, lest you think I haven’t been busy cooking and baking, don’t worry. I’ve been hard at work in my kitchen feeding and watering my husband. To be honest, it just didn’t feel right to be posting pretty pictures of food right now. It’s such a strange time. As an introvert, it’s not the social isolation that’s getting to me. I love that I’m being given permission to stay home and not feel bad about it. I’m feeling so sad about all the suffering around the world and worried about everyone I love. This uncertainty is causing a heavy blanket of anxiety. Plus, my grey roots are not helping things at all.
I was also starting to feel a lot of pressure and guilt to “use this time productively.” It seemed that everyone was immersing themselves in mastering new skills, (I’m looking at you sourdough bread) honing their craft, or coming up with innovative ways to learn and grow. I just wasn’t feeling creative. I felt unable to focus.
When I shared these feeling on an Instagram post, several people reached out to me and told me that they were feeling the same way. There is no one right way to do this. I decided to give myself permission to do less and just feel those emotions. Life lesson #1: Don’t compare yourself to others. Eventually those rotting bananas on my counter whispered that they weren’t going to turn into banana bread by themselves, and I got back into the kitchen.
Over the past two weeks I have made about 7 banana breads. I didn’t think I could just post my classic banana bread recipe. With all the creative ions in the air, I felt compelled to innovate and give you something different. I found a jar of cookie butter in the pantry and tried a few variations of Cookie Butter Swirl Banana Bread. No one complained but it was just too sweet and the spices in the cookie butter overwhelmed the bananas.
I baked a sour cream version in a fancy pan and dusted it with icing sugar. A real looker, but not so tasty.
Then I tried adding a of chopped pecans and dark chocolate. Too much! But it sure looked pretty.
Life lesson #2. Sometimes less is more. Don’t screw with the classics. So, I went back to my favourite banana bread recipe from Noreen Gilletz. Sadly, Noreen passed away in February, after a long illness. My mom’s generation learned to cook from her legendary 1968 cookbook, Second Helpings Please! I became a Noreen fan in 1985 with the release of her book, The Pleasures of Your Food Processor (reprinted as The Food Processor Bible). She will be missed by many!
This is a dense, dark and heavy banana bread. Extremely moist and very intensely banana flavoured. In short, everything a banana bread is supposed to be.
I made a few a few adaptations to Noreen’s recipe. I added a caramelized banana to the top and stirred in a big handful of toasted, chopped walnuts, but feel free to leave them out. You do you!
Thanks for sharing your adaptations Cindy! That looks fabulous. This is my go-to recipe as well but I’ve never tried adding anything. Since I happen to have a few well-ripened bananas hanging around I might just add this to my list of weekend activities!
Hope you had some time to bake on the weekend. I miss you.
Yum! Guy made one the other day! I’m going to make your oat bread today! Stay safe and healthy. Xoxo
The oat soda bread? I love that one. I have some buttermilk, maybe I’ll make it for dinner.
xoxox
I love the combo of bananas and chocolate. Will do but first have to obtain bananas in enough quantity that a few survive long enough to get ripe enough for banana bread!
Hi Michelle, chocolate in banana bread is very polarizing! My daughter thinks it belongs, I do not!! I have been buying 12 bananas at a time. My husband won’t eat them if they have even 1 little fleck of black on them, so I can safely save them for ripening.
All are beautiful. I have no problem looking at pretty food photos. They make me happy, and make me want to get better at food photography. Have I worked on it? Heck no. I signed up for a Naomi Sherman photography and styling class, and the day it started my daughter and two kids showed up. For 10 days. I can still do it, but I feel behind. But I will, just like you said. There’s no rush, no need to worry about what other folks are doing or not doing. The only reason I have posts publishing on my blog is because I was supposed to have hand surgery, so I’m booked through June! Anyway, i loved this post.
Thanks Mimi
Your comment made me feel less alone!
I have never heard of Naomi, just checked out her website. She has beautiful images and such an interesting story of how she got into this.
I always go really slow with online courses. I’m a methodical, slow learner and that’s the great part about online classes. They are there for you when you are ready. I hope your hand surgery does not get postponed for too long. Have a great week.
Thank you!
Going to make Banana Bread tomorrow..I also have bananas screaming out Bake me!
Hi Corrie, those rotting bananas can be loud!!
I quantify everything you’re saying. I’ve been having a difficult time with everything too. It’s draining and soaking up all of my creativity. Or is it my grey roots sucking out all the creativity? I was worried if I posted a recipe, people would think I didn’t care about what was going on in the world when it was quite the opposite. I realized just how much I needed it relieve my anxiety so I just did it.
We must be on the same wave length somehow because I’ve been making a variety of banana breads too! One with tahini wasn’t for me. Then I made one with chocolate in the batter – not for me. Then I went back to my mom’s recipe with chocolate chips and it was just right. None as pretty as yours! Can’t wait to try your banana bread! Obviously I am needing another banana bread in my life!!
Thanks Sherri,
It’s so comforting to know I am not alone in my feelings. Regarding tahini in baked goods, WHY ARE PEOPLE DOING THIS??? I do not understand the trend. Just saw on IG you made the bread. Hope you enjoy it!
Banana bread is comfort food, and always reading your blogs is pure serenity. Thank you for your wonderful stories. I always feel you are here with me sharing special moments. Always love your photos! Stay safe and healthy. Sending lots of love 💕 💕💕Aunty Susie