Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Banana bread and lasagna roll ups~












The Medal:)





Really good..not a great pic..but we liked it a lot~





Noah had the smallest baby teeth imaginable..he is 7..grade 2..lost the two bottom minis this year and now a top one..they are growing in quite perfectly:)





Noah approved salad~


On thin ice..if you ask me..

I start early for Valentine's Day here..
not for Jacques and I  but the Littles..and just little things here and there..I do make a special dessert around that date for a family get -together for one of our daughter's birthdays..,but in between now and that day..I like tryng out things on them..
That's Lucas' hot chocolate when he came over one chilly afternoon..and that's Noah's banana bread when he came for lunch..
He knew it was his..there were 4..only one was different:)
Which of these things is not like the other?:)

Overipe bananas + a girl who hates waste=banana bread..
this must be my 50th recipe..it's very good and moist..sour cream is the kicker here..I made 4 minis in vintage tins..and a larger one for Jacques..the four..because Mylène and Noah came for lunch..
I made this one..


We had that tortellini soup..you know the one..and a nice salad..the salad recipe came from Chris..I used roasted walnut oil and it worked quite well:) Love Chris' dressings~Thank you..

By the way I love my empty yogurt pots:) Did you notice I found lids?Just 12..but I now have 12 jars 12 lids:)

Noah entered an Abomini endurance race..he had to run 1.9 kms..in very cold weather..dive under obstacles..jump over others..roll a huge log and drag a Xmas tree..all dressed in boots and heavy snowsuit etc..kudos darling..yes..that's what winter sports looks like here:)
See his medal?He is so  proud..he's 7..hang a medal..it's like a new necklace on us...I am happy w/ costume new necklaces..:)
He's now got freckles to sell~

Lucas ran track..lost both his races..but in 60..10 yr olds.. he came in 16th..no medals..and he had cracked his tooth in half the day before..an adult tooth..
both Jacques and I feel that both are lovely in their endeavours..participation is key..winning is great for the Little..but just participating is great for us.
The dentist fixed his tooth.and all is well..some fab Crazy Glue..they had kept the half tooth..

the last photo is a usually over populated ice lake..filled with fishing shacks and streets..all on the lake..well  we had a few cold days and some ventured..but it's been milder..and rained all day yesterday..sunny today..it's just not safe in my opinion and apparently the rest of the usual ice dwellers think so too..
I do miss the sight of ALL of them.My dad LOVED ice fishing..w/ a huge raccoon coat..I can still see him and it's been over 40 yrs..
as much as my mom was composed,reserved,elegant,an artist..a woman of "letters"..my dad was flamboyant..colorful..over the top..in everything.
Nothing in moderation.
My mom..everything in moderation..even her flickering ,counted I am sure..cigarette.

..and one day I made these Lasagna Roll Ups ..we both really enjoyed them..
I had bought a jar of Trader Joe's Marinara sauce(basil),in Florida.. that I had not used..because..well I love to make our sauces..so when I saw this recipe..I thought..great..use the jar.
They are easy..and delish..I used the whole jar..8 roll ups make 2 meals for Jacques and I..2 each at each meal..I added my snippets of chopped garlic scapes..JUJJED  it..and parmesan cheese..I used full fat Ricotta..Jacques only enjoys the whole 9 yards.Funny because our main courses are quite non fat...but when it comes to ricotta..cream cheese..etc..full fat.
I use spinach no cook flat lasagna sheets when I make lasagnas..so I had to buy cook noodles..do yourself a favor and buy a well known brand of lasagna noodles to cook/boil..I used Lancia..not one broke..fiou!
I cooked my lasagna roll ups longer at least 1/2 hour covered and the rest I played by ear..sight I mean;) and let  them bake until I knew they were done..I made my roll ups in the morning..so all I had to do was bake for dinner.That's me.
Again..like having Mrs Patmore over in the morning..
I am the girl that lives in a manner of Below The Stairs.Well not quite but if I had to chose..I would be in the kitchen.

Re DA..Meh.....this week, bland..apart from Anna..and Mr Bates and even then I knew it was coming..Mary and the car fanatic..NO CHEMISTRY..blah this week..I found, and Jacques also..forgive me:)
Not enthralled with Mercy Street yet..nor Billions..
Looking forward to Call The Midwife.


58 comments:

  1. Well, I'll start from the bottom and go up. Felt same about DA. Was surprised when it was over. I'm making lasagna tonite for son and taking it to the city. His car he got when he was 16 (now 30) broke down for good yesterday. He is interviewing for an internship and with Penny Lane, they have to count their pennies so they can't afford another car and will share one. :(
    How sweet Noah won but lost his teeth. ;) Didn't see the medal. I was looking back and forth to see things in this post. When I saw the little things out on the ice were CARS, I died. Scariest thing ever to me. Love banana bread but never make it, because you know. I wouldn't be able to resist it. I can almost smell it. Will have to see when Call The Midwife starts again. I love it too.

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    1. I totally get the Little..(PL) ..and no car..a neighbor lent me one when my girls were tiny..and at that time where we lived ..qualified as the boonies..he was an older gentlenman and spent half the year in Florida..that is when I drove his green Honda..emergencies..only..
      I hope he is able to get a replacement car sooner than later..
      I am so glad my husband and Littles are here to eat what I bake;)

      I bet your lasgagna is great.
      I am a pasta nut.
      We even saw a lady walking ALONE out onto Ice Lake....

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  2. Love those vintage tins and I can almost smell this banana bread baking. Your grandson is so handsome - what a great smile! The lasagna rollups look wonderful too!

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    1. I remember when I bought the tins so many yrs ago on Ebay:) I remember who inspired me..little things n'est-ce pas?
      He is a cutie pie..w/ such a beautiful head of hair:)

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  3. I love banana bread and yours looks wonderful! That was some tough race!

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    1. I know..my daughter said she could not have done ot!

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  4. I love a good banana bread...my favorite one also has sour cream in it. Makes for a lovely loaf! I love those little yogurt jars! Mike brought me some back from Brussels! How ever did you find tops for them? I have one or two of those little vintage molds packed away...I need to find them! Everything looks beautiful up your way....Noah has gotten to be such a big boy!
    I feel the same way about Downton, and Mercy Street...I have not started Billions yet....Mike seems to like it...I need to catch up.
    Bisous xoxoxoxo

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    1. Could be the same receipe..this one too sour cream..stays so moist..I've rarely had a dy banana bread though you?

      The tops..I think the company sells them..but I bought them from a girl who had too many..met her in person..through my daughters virtual garage sale:)They were brand new..the turquoise..:)

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  5. I am busy hunting down molds with the Jello name on them. How long did you bake your banana bread in the molds?

    I thought it was Noah that cracked his tooth. He is a cutie with his new teeth coming in. Jerry is with Jacque, no skimping on the fat on certain things (well with him most things!). I can't believe the cars and fishing shack on the lake. I am with you, it doesn't look solid enough.

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    1. The ones in the molds took less time..keep an eye on them..don't fill them past the beginning of the last bar..if using the vintage ones w/ out the JELLO name..with the JELLO..again leave space..at least 1/2 inch..they rise..you will notice that as a loaf..it darkens a lot more than in those molds..my daughter even remarked on it..

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    2. Thanks for the tips. I found some and they are ordered.

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    3. You are so cute..I love how you get an idea in your head and then do it!

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    4. Batch one came today, the one with some of yours type tins and the copper mold type. A few more of the jello ones one the way and then the bunny tins will arrive. May have to make some more lemon cake or banana bread this week...

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    5. Wow..that was fast!
      Only in the USA;)

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  6. I have a very similar banana bread recipe and it is the best! The sour cream makes it so moist, but yogurt would do the same. You can't lose. What a lovely picture of your grandson! I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in a lot of DA this last season, but the Christmas Special made up for any disappointments. Not so with CTM. You will love it. We have seen three epis so far, and all are excellent. I have always wanted to do lasagne roll ups, but we cannot get the long noodles here. Only squares. Sorry about your grandson's tooth. My youngest broke both is two upper front permanent teeth off at the gum line when he was 7. They tried hard to save them, but the end result is that now, as an adult, he has implants. I have not heard of Billions or Mercy Street. Shall I give them a miss? Love and hugs! Stay warm! Your countryside looks very cold! brrr. . . xoxo

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    1. The world of investing and corruption ..finances.etc..are not my cup of tea..I could take a vaca in the house he bought LOL though..he is a good actor..but I preferred him in Homeland.So Billions..I come upstairs and let Jacques enjoy it..yet he says it's not realistic..what do we know?
      Mercy Street you might like..not one actor has captured my heart.
      DA they are getting thinner and thinner..it makes them expressionless.And they have been.Oh I feel like a traitor saying all these negative things..

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  7. You are a combination of both your parents in my opinion (which no one is asking).
    Both flamboyant and elegant. And Very good at measuring!
    A nice combo IMHO

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    1. I tend to definitely be a Goodie One Shoe;)
      Younger I think I could have gone either way..You're very astute.Maybe not the lovely adjectives you used;)

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  8. We lived near a small lake when I was a child and in the winter, it was solid fishing shacks. We went iceboating...I loved it...sailing on ice. My dad had a terrible accident once, fortunately, he was alone but when he came back to shore blood pouring down his face. Scared us all to death. (He needed stitches..heads bleed so much!)
    Not liking Mercy Street....not going to watch it.

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    1. Barbara that must have been horrific..I am told a grandafather of mine died drowned..but not through an ice lake..my mom's dad..
      well that settles it I am not the only one for Mercy Street.
      Have a good weekend!

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  9. Le Banana Bread est le meilleur moyen de se régaler de bananes trop mûres, avec un peu de chocolat c'est extra, sans parler de noix de coco ~

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  10. There is nothing cuter than a little one missing front teeth! Your Noah is adorable. I have those yogurt pots but mine didn't come with lids--just a pull-off cover. I'm still trying to like Mercy Street!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Isn't is strange that it has not grabbed anyone I know ..well you girls..from the onset? The decors are fine..but sometimes contrived I find..I think the actors are off..:( Who am I to say..

      Me too kids and missing teeth..only then is it cute..:)

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  11. Noah has such a sweet and genuine smile! Now with a few big teeth too :) I'm sure he knew the muffin with Love on it was for him :) Your boys are so lucky to have such an attentive Nana! I can't imagine that race in the cold all bundled up like that. Abomini indeed! Kudos to Noah!

    I need to try your sour cream banana bread recipe. I loved the sour cream in your blueberry muffins and am sure we would love this one too. And the roll-ups, oh my! I call that a perfect winter comfort food meal. Shocked to imagine some people hate cooking. I could use Mrs. Patmore once a week maybe ;)

    Ice fishing scares me! So many unfortunate stories here in the winter.

    So agree about DA - big MEH. I wonder if Mary and Tom might...?? That would be a great story.

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    1. I'd love to see Mary and Tom..but a big spark has to ignite somewhere..we know he can handle strong women..but Sybil was different..soft and loving..Mary seems bothered by George..I had an old aunt like that..children at bay dahling..It's as if she needs gloves to hold them..I liked her in the mud..the only scene that was a bit electrifying after Michael.
      I adore Mrs Patmore..I'd love to learn from her.
      Oh nana..YOUR boys are so lucky:)

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  12. This banana bread look amazing!! and what lovely pic of Noah, he is really sweet!

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    1. Gloria he definitely has a sweet side:) And a sweet tooth:)Thank you.

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  13. I enjoyed your post...in fact, I have the oven preheating to make the banana bread. My bananas were begging for a new life. :-) Watching your grandchildren grow up has been a special treat. They are such fortunate young men to have a nana like you! Your lasagna rolls are beautiful!

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    1. Sabine is lucky to have YOU!
      I think we all have such tender spots for these Littles..Who knew?
      Definitely an Amour avec le grand A.♥
      You will like this easy bread..yum..tea.coffee..no wine though:)

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    2. I enjoyed the bread with my tea. It was perfect...flavorful, moist and not too sweet.

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  14. Todo buenísimo y preciosas fotos.
    Besos

    lagalletarota.blogspot.com

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  15. Bonjour, tu fais toujours d'aussi belles photos. Tes recettes de gâteau aux bananes et tes lasagnes me donnent envie, ce matin, d'en prendre un petit bout. Je te souhaite une belle journée.

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    1. Bonjour Josée..les photos de Noah..c'est sa maman la photographe sauf celle en noir et blanc..j'espère que tout va bien pour toi..Bonne Année 2016.

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    2. Oui tout va bien pour moi et toi ça va bien... J'étais un peu moins présente la dernière année et je me reprends cette année pour visiter les blogs que j'aime bien. Bonne Année 2016 à toi aussi.

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  16. Monique, your photography and staging just gets better and better. Everyone one of your photos could easily be in a book or magazine. Congratulations to Noah - how wonderful for him. Sorry to hear Lucas broke a tooth, but it sounds like dentistry has come a long way and how wonderful that the dentist could fix it.
    Take care,
    Sam

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    1. Hi Sam..was happy to read about beautiful Fort Myers..snow is gently falling here..blanketing our greens:)

      Before I know it..it will be planting time.
      In some ways dentistry has advanced..in others..I am not so sure..as in every profession..not all are created equal..
      I was happy for Lucsa..the first thing his mom did was send a smile photo leaving the dentist..he's got a good one:)
      Enjoy the blue skies and sunshine!

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  17. If I made banana muffins for my grands there would be one with no nuts. I can't figure out where she got that preference. The rest of us love them. I have looked for those cute little yogurt pots but can't find them...only plastic and paper ones. Noah is such a handsome young man. It's scary how fast they grow up. I should have a new little grandson tomorrow. So very excited to meet him.

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    1. Oh my gosh how exciting..nothing in the whole wide world like a new baby..hope we get a peek:)
      I have a daughter that cannot look at a mushroom;)Noah..eats..anything..he said;" I even like slugs in garlic butter".."escargots".:)
      They are not all eaters of everything..they make me laugh sometimes..Max won't eat a tomato..his favorite food group is pizza w/ tomato sauce.;)

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  18. Love your cute little vintage tins, I want some! I don't see any of those cute yogurt jars either. Noah is growing up fast, time does fly by. My granddaughter is expecting another bundle of joy, so later this year will have another sweet baby to hold. The lasagna roll ups look wonderful. I will be pinning those babies. Happy weekend.

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    1. Lucky you!! You're way too young though..how does that happen..your grandaughter..having a baby..and not her first..that will be like when Lucas has a baby..Oh to look and feel like you then..LOL..not going to happen.
      Inspirational you are.

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  19. HI Monique...
    I find I have to visit your posts several times....to take everything in!
    Love the story about your Dad...I got a muskrat coat from my dad for my 16th birthday...
    Wouldn't dare wear that nowadays...not in vogue...
    Noah looks like he had a great time....such fun for kids...
    Yes...I thought Downton was bland...
    Have Mercy Street recorded, have not watched it yet...
    We watched the premiere of Billions...forgot to watch it this week! Hahaha....
    Have yourself a wonderful weekend...
    Taking my son and his fiancée out for dinner...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ps....Red is a cutie...thanks for your support♥️

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    1. You have it:)

      I take sides you know..;)
      On my 18th birthday..my mom bought me a muskrat or something coat..she said she had never had a fur coat..apart from her Persian Lamb..that I saw her in all her life..and wanted me to have one..it had a different fur collar..those were the days when everyone thought wearing fur was ok..I made a vest of it abot 20 yrs ago..I may still have it..I still have my great aunt's..she would be almost 150..fox stole..oy yes..
      My mom must have saved ..forever to buy me that coat.
      Have fun going out:)
      I love dinners with fave people.

      PS I talk too much that's why you are re-reading..thanks for doing that;)

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    2. I re-read, because I want to take it all in!!!
      The beautiful photos...the family memories...the cute littles...all wonderful!

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  20. Hi Monique! Your tins are adorable. We love banana bread, but we call ours banana nut bread because we add pecans. My daughter makes one and adds pumpkin purée and applesauce. It's delicious, too.

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    1. I love nuts in them..sometimes one or two of the boys won't eat something if it's not similar to home..and one daughter doesn't put nuts..
      I was the same..I only loved what my mom made when I was little..must be genetic;)

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  21. Oh those ice fishing huts look definitely on thin ice! My grandpa in MN had an ice shack. We never visited in winter so I never had a chance to test it out with him, but I can imagine.... OMG love the endurance race hauling pine trees and rolling logs! Good for him ,xoxo so adorable. Delicious food to fuel the winter days. That lasagne recipe looks to die for. Yum!

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    1. I imagine you are just starting to feel normal!
      My dad loved ice fishing..I wonder if he ever brought me...hmmm...

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  22. Late arriving, but big smiles as I read through this post. Love banana nut bread, especially toasted with butter! I've been intending to tell you - the dough wand you introduced me to last year - my chef loves it. He is baking bread almost every day it seems. He gives it away to friends and all our neighbors. I only allow myself to have a slice fresh from the oven. '-) I will send you the recipe. It is no knead and delicious!
    Your mention of ice fishing leads me to ask if you have any of your dad's ice fishing decoys? I bought some at the NY Pier Antique Show back in 2000. They are painted to resemble the American flag which is why I wanted them. Folk art at its best!

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    1. Sadly I have none of his hunting/fishing paraphenalia..I guess my brothers have them..I do remember not ice fishing..but duck decoys..I collected them for a bit..I have very few..wood reproductions..one I still love.
      Your collections are formidable..
      little kitchen gadgets that are different and special like the dough hook and even the dough slasher make baking/cooking so enjoyable..we are spoiled..
      I bet the aromas coming out of your beautiful home are wonderful:)

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  23. I love all of the creative ways people in cold snowy weather find ways to get outside and do things. Growing up in Michigan it was all about ice fishing, ice skating and sledding. That was before snow mobiles. Love your pretty banana bread and the molds. The lasagna also looks good. I have the very same green casserole (lasagna) pan.

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    1. I thought I saw it at your home..I have had it for a long time..I am finding these things heavier and heavier ;)
      It's lovely out..snow sliding off the roof..mild..rain tonight..
      this winter has been going by at the speed of lighting and very manageable..!

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  24. Hi Monique, I don't think you can ever have enough banana bread recipes:) Your grandboys are so clever to compete with others, very nice. I can't believe Downton is going to end, there are so many loose ends, I'm wondering if Mary and Tom get together?

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  25. What a beautiful golden light in your kitchen! It makes me want to visit and smell the scent of your banana bread. You have much more snow than the midwest has - *envious* - I do love snow. I agree - the last two DA's were ho hum, could've done without that bloody scene! I think back to the first two seasons, when there was such elegance and those beautiful clothes - and Matthew and Sybil.

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