Holiday Baking

I began my 2008 holiday baking experience a few days ago when I looked in the freezer. I counted 15 frozen, black bananas. A lot of people see my bananas and say something like "ew" or "blech," or make unconscious pained facial expressions. But to me, frozen bananas (and the slimy, mushy un-frozen bananas they become as they sit on my countertop) mean warm kitchen and yummy smells all day long. 

On Monday, I pulled out a few bananas and made 2 loaves of banana bread. The recipe is from my Great Grandmother, and the recipe my mom always used when baking this favorite. Its a fairly traditional recipe, and this time I decided to spice it up a little - a dash of allspice, a bit of ground cloves. Yumm. When the bread came out of the oven, it was just perfect: golden brown, firm to the touch, and the top (as we found out quickly) was just a bit crunchy. (I would post a picture if I would have had enough foresight to take one at the time.)

When the loaves were cooled and I was deciding what to do with them, I knew one would be gone before the week was out! The other had some options: I could freeze it, which would ruin my idealist notions of fresh bread...Or I could share it! Who could I share it with? I decided to send it to work with Hubby, to share with his coworkers. He protested at first, because no one has ever brought baked goods to work before. I was slightly deflated, until... "I could wrap it with a red ribbon and write 'Happy Holidays' on it!" He finally agreed, and took it the next morning. 

About 11am Tuesday morning, I got a message from Hubby: "The bread is all gone!"

Tehehe. I am giddy with satisfaction. 

Later that evening, I was cooking dinner when Hubby came home. He said he had something for me, and brought me an envelope. It was a thank-you note, written on the company letterhead, from all of his coworkers! I was speechless. And my satisfaction grew with the knowledge that everyone enjoyed it. Not only that, but I like to think that maybe, having experienced my bread - a little something from myself, surprisingly delicious, in light of the slimy bananas it came from - they will be inspired to create, and to share themselves with each other this holiday season. 

Wifey's first holiday kitchen experiment was a success! And you can be sure it will not be my last. In the kitchen for today: Puppy Chow (e.g. Muddy Buddies? - Hubby says there aren't any good names for this snack...Maybe we'll come up with our own good name someday)!