Wednesday, November 4, 2009

I was saving this..

Like I save nice pyjamas,new slippers..



I wanted to savor every minute because I knew I would like it..
It's the kind of book you keep..and I really do give most of my books away..
You will share..or would share..by buying another copy for the other person..
But you wouldn't give this one away.Well I can't..
I don't even know how long Molly has had her blog..I have read quite a few posts since I heard about this book..and enjoyed every one..
But they didn't prepare me for how much I would LOVE her book.. I am a little more than half way through..because I am reading it like I am eating a favorite food..savoring every chapter..enjoying every recipe...
I just finished the chapter w/ the Grotto Eggs recipe..
Mine had tears in them.
You cannot read this book if you have lost a beloved parent or two..and not become filled with warmth.
It evokes the memories you had. it makes you wish you wrote about your parent(s) like that:)
It made me happy I wrote a letter once to a radio station about my mother and she won "Mother Of The Year"one year at Mother's Day because of my childlike poem.
She was..over the moon:)

It makes you like Molly Wizenberg from the get go and want to make every recipe in her book..
I had made her tuna bouchons many months ago..

Last night I had to make the Banana Bread..Could be because of Nooschi's post too one day w/ the chocolate pouring over the cake:)

This one is polka dotted w/ chocolate..and crystallized ginger..one of my miracle foods.

My husband loved it..and I do too..



With our morning coffee..it was absolutely delightful.
I am so glad she shared all these recipes..



This would definitely be a cake I would bring to someone to share..

If you enjoy reading.. baking..cookbooks, chapters that are each a little book in themselves....and personal thoughts..you will LOVE this book!
If you enjoy writing about cooking and recipes and a bit of life in general to share here..you will love it even more.
5 stars for me.My highest rating.
I cannot wait to buy Ranch Dressing and make her dad's potato salad w/ caraway seeds.
The banana bread will always now be Molly Wizenberg's Amazing Recipe in my recipe file.

La Recette..

Banana Bread with Chocolate and Crystallized Ginger
From “A Homemade Life” p. 26 by Molly Wizenberg

6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or a chopped up bar)
1/3 cup finely chopped crystallized ginger
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup well-stirred whole-milk plain yogurt (not low or nonfat)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Set a rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350F. Grease a 9 by 5 loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.

In a small bowl, microwave the butter until just melted. (Be careful and do this over medium power in short burst because it can explode or splatter and that is a big mess.) Or melt it in the preheating oven. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the chocolate chips and crystallized ginger and whisk well to combine. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs with a fork. Add the mashed banana, yogurt, melted butter, and vanilla and stir to mix well. Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients, and stir gently with a rubber spatula, scraping down the sides as needed, until just combined. Do not overmix. The batter with be thick and somewhat lumpy, just make sure all the flour has been incorporated. Scrape the batter into the loaf pan and smooth the top.

Bake into the loaf is a deep shade of golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 mins to an hour. If the loaf seems to be browning too quickly, tent with foil.

Cool the loaf in the pan on a wire rack for 5 mins. Then tip out onto the rack, and let it cool completely before slicing (if you can wait that long).

The loaf freezes well wrapped in plastic wrap and again in foil to protect from freezer burn


I have to add a funny anecdote...I mentioned to Jacques as we savored the bread.."I could see cinnamon sugar on this.. or w/ this" and he agreed.. when I googled the recipe..in lieu of typing it out w/ 2 fingers..my right index and my left middle finger..I first found the recipe w/ cinnamon sugar which isn't in my book:)

I smiled.And loved that too!

29 comments:

  1. Comment résister à une telle gourmandise et à de telles photos,
    J'ignore si je peux trouver ce livre en France, mais je vais chercher
    Bon après midi

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  2. I was headed out to Borders Books in about an hour to get an Ina Garten cookbook....and now I think I'll add this one to my list. I had heard of this book previously and thank you for the reminder.

    Cooking and love go together.

    I'm glad you have the memory of your mother getting the award through your young hands. You must refer to that memory often ;-)

    And there is just something about cinnamon that is so very comforting.

    Have a great day.....Diane

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  3. Thank you for sharing that beautiful touching story. Any mom would be so happy. The Banana Bread - I can smell them. And that foamy coffee ... perfect pairing.

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  4. This book has gotten very good reviews and I'm happy to know that you are enjoying it. I visit Orangette often and have been following the building of her restaurant in Seattle. Hope to visit it one day.

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  5. I'm glad you liked the book so much. I loved it too. Thanks for the reminder about the banana bread
    I have all the ingredients including the old bananas.
    It's now on the afternoon agenda!

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  6. I sounds like a wonderful book! I'm sad you had tears on the page, though. The banana bread sounds wonderful - with or without cinnamon sugar ;)

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  7. I didn't know about this blog until your post. I've now added it to my favorites. Thank you!

    And thank you for this lovely post. I love the way you write.

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  8. I love her too...
    Thank you for your post M.it is beautiful as always. You warm my heart.
    L~xo

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  9. Thank You M. for the review...I will surely look for it. You must have been a treasure to your mum...I just purchased two cooking books for Christmas gifts...Must read them before I Gift them..Do you do that too? Thanks for the sweet words, xoxo~Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  10. I have that book, but I've been saving it for when I'm not stressed. I plan on starting it over Christmas break, so I can relax and enjoy it.

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  11. Pam DO save it:) It is like a gift to yourself.
    You may want to get up and bake though:) I even bought the Ranch dressing:)

    Last night I went through your wine recommendations and bought the Shiraz..Jacob's Creek 2007 for my daughter and her husband because of you..
    Your wine reviews stick with me..:)

    Kathy..I do look at recipe books before I give them:) I have to see if the recipes seem good:)

    It's hard though because you can never open the book to your liking:)

    Susan..you will have tears too.I know you now:)

    It's the Grotto Eggs..

    Then at the end:)

    There is no end though..she could write another(hope)..

    Karen..I hope it turned out well..I am sure it did! It's different..we even love it cold.
    Cathy if you go I hope you will share pics:)Lucky you!!

    Diane..I really think you would enjoy it tremendously..

    Jain..as always..:)Chapot.. il est simple et authentique.:) Un plaisir.

    Ju..this book was meant for you also:)To a "T".Teochew.

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  12. i love this book also. i, unfortunately, devour something when i like it. so it was in my hands for a short time only and now is on my shelf. you reminded me that i should take it out and savor it again, and yes, cook from it!

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  13. Oh I've done it again. Been away from La Table De Nana way too long....:-)

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  14. I have to get this book to read on my way to Australia. Thanks for the review!

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  15. I've heard of the book but haven't read it -- alas, after your review, I must get it the next time I'm in the city!

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  16. Molly is young and from Oklahoma too, I might add. She hasn't been posting on her blog much in recent months because she and her husband have been opening a restaurant. She is witty and very good at blogging.

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  17. I absolutely devoured Molly's book. I haven't cooked any of the recipes yet, but will do with time. Your banana bread looks lovely, as always.

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  18. That must be a wonderful book to read....I'll have to look it up in the bookstores here...or on amazon..tq..what a lovely written review :)

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  19. Great book review. I enjoyed the book also. Lots of good writing mingled with lots of good recipes. My kind of book.
    Sam

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  20. Oh Monique, you've given the book such an exquisitely proper review, as beautiful as the book itself.

    What a sweet story about your Mother's Day poem, how proud she must have been. Those are forever memories. xoxo

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  21. Monique, I love the cover on that book. You make me want to run right out and buy it.

    Beautiful photos.

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  22. I just love everything about your post...the beautiful book with its glorious cover, (which I am also going to look for), your poetic thoughts on it, the recipe and the photos...and the cinnamon! It is just NICE to come visit here very time!
    Ronelle

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  23. I read this book in the summer and loved it every bit as much as you did. I also felt the same way about the memories she shares about her dad. I cried when I read about her feelings as she describes them the night her father died; it reminded me so much of what it was like the night my mom died almost three years ago after a long illness (and I'd thought I was all cried out). It's a lovely book in every way. I tried the recipe for French toast and it's completely decadent--the best version one could hope for!

    Just discovered your blog through Serendipity -- it's wonderful!

    Warmly,
    Jane

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  24. Sighh I must buy this book. Must. How can I not now? Your bread, your coffee, and your words send me running back to my Amazon wish list.

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  25. I have seen that cookbook but have not ordered it yet. I guess I will after your review. I think I will like it. That cake looks delicious.

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  26. Wow, your descriptions of the book makes me want to buy it too. Your banana bread looks great and I love the crytallized ginger idea. Thanks for mentioning my blog in your post!

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  27. Donna.. yes she mentions Oklahoma many times:) Good point!

    Jane..I visited you today..:)

    Ronelle..I find the cover reminds me of things you love in a kitchen..I truly thought that when I read the book!! Because you have shown us your kitchen pics:)
    I think those of you that mention they may like to read it would..I have seen sides of you that make me think so..At every chapter there is a recipe..no photos..not a glossy photo book..Just a nice book to keep .They say if you like 1 recipe from a book it's worth it..If all I would have made was the banana bread..it would have been good`enough..So.. avec les bouchons en plus:)It's very worth it..
    But the thing is..it's not really about the recipes.It's just charming.

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  28. La photo de ton pain est absolument à tomber. Bon w-e.

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