Banana Bread

I wish that I had a great story about how banana bread is awesome, and I made it when I was a little kid or how I took it to an old grandma while she was sick, but no.... just a boring little banana bread that actually turned out quite delicious. I have always felt that I'm a better baker than a cook... so this is more of my thang! Well here is what you will need for this recipe

3 ripe bananas (brown like you want to throw them away)
1/2 cup butter softened (room temperature)
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sour cream (the absolute key!!!)
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl

2. Mash bananas with a fork

3. Cream butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla together in a mixer
4. Mix in dry ingredients adding a little at a time.

5. With a rubber spatula fold in sour cream and bananas

6. Pour mixture into a greased bread pan

7. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour OR until a toothpick comes out clean

This turned out wonderful!!! I really was shocked that I could make something like this. Cut off a slice and serve it with some butter on it! Wow... I guess my grandpa in law used to put a slice of cheese on it. I didn't dare go that far even though I'm passionate about cheese!! Best dishes my friends, and please leave your comments!

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Also, this week I'm joining a blog party... it's my second of the sort, and I hope it goes well. I hope everyone that is here will enjoy the bread, and other recipes! I love your comments long or short, funny or even angry haha. For other people's awesome blogs go here...... A Soft Place to Land.

Macaroni and Cheese

When I was 10 years old the first thing that I ever cooked was Macaroni and Cheese. Now given it was Kraft Macaroni and Cheese with that great orange sauce, but I thought the first post would be great if it was Macaroni and Cheese, but a lot more kicked up you know a "modern" version. I looked at a lot of recipes, and then decided on what I wanted to do. So here it is..... Macaroni and Cheese.... my way...

1 lb penne pasta (or any pasta that you would like)
2 cups Cheddar Cheese (I prefer Tillamook Medium Cheddar, but most recommend sharp)
1 cup sharper cheese (I used an irish cheese, and I will get back to you on the name)
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
1 shallot chopped
4 cups milk/heavy cream (I used 3 cups milk and 1 of cream)
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Set temperature to high to boil water

2.Once water comes to a boil cook pasta for 8-10 minutes or until Al Dente

3. Chop Shallots

4. Grate Cheeses

5. In 2 tbsp of oil cook shallots until they begin to caramelize, remove from pan.

6. Put in 2 tbsp butter, and 2 tbsp flour to form a roux7. Once roux is formed pour shallots back in and slowly whisk in milk/cream, and then mix in cheese.

8. When the sauce is thick and creamy pour pasta in and toss.

9. Empty the contents of the pan into a 13x9 pan

10. Spread cheese over the top and bake at 350 for 30 minutes

11. Remove from Oven

12. Serve!!!

This dish was great!! If you like your macaroni and cheese a little bit more saucy I wouldn't recommend baking it. The consistency was a lot thicker, but delicious. I found that the shallots really added an amazing flavor to it. Please comment, and let me know what you think!!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post I'm also putting on Hooked on Houses blog partaaaay! As I'm sure you could tell I'm hooked on cooking right now, and always for that matter. More to come soon, as I'm already working on my next post... check back soon for updates.