Banana Bread

I keep trying new banana bread recipes because I always have one or two stray bananas that get too brown too quickly.  I tried this one from one of my favourite blogs.  Here is a link for the recipe:  http://twopeasandtheirpod.com/buttermilk-banana-bread/

You really can taste the butter, too!  It was very rich and we loved it, but I think I prefer a more healthy version made with canola oil and part whole wheat flour.  May make that one this week since I just spotted two old bananas hiding at the bottom of the fruit bowl.

Banana Buttermilk bread

With strawberry tea!

A productive weekend

It's amazing how much we can accomplish in a weekend when we are all healthy!  We tackled the front garden after being in our house for almost 9 years.  While cleaning out the home office we came across photos from the sale of our home and realized that we haven't touched the front at all.  We changed the doors and windows, but left all the landscaping the way it was even though we never liked it.  Now, we have a new Japanese Maple 'Emperor One' and a River Birch!  So excited!  Gone is the Weeping Mulberry and Weigela!  I have a grand vision for the front and now we are well on our way! So excited!

Photos to follow after all the rain stops!

Creamy Lemon Bars for Trail of Crumbs Cookie Exchange

Creamy Lemon Bars
(from The Cookie and Biscuit Bible)

Base:
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
3/4 cup butter, diced

Topping:
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
grated rind of 1 lemon
1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup whipping cream

icing sugar for dusting

1.  Preheat oven to 325 C.  Grease 13 x 9 inch cake pan.  Sift flour, sugar and salt into a bowl.  Rub in butter. (I used a pastry cutter).
2.  Press the mixture into the pan.
3.  Bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.
4.  Meanwhile, whisk eggs and sugar in a bowl until blended.  Add the lemon rind and juice and mix well.
5.  Lightly whip the cream in another bowl and fold into the egg mixture.  Pour the topping over the warm crust and bake for 40 minutes, until set.  Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting.  Dust with icing sugar.

Enjoy!

A few things we tried last week.

Our little artist

 I think we have a real bona fide artist in the making here.  He just loves to sit and paint and he is quite creative with what he tries.  The boys really enjoy watching Mister Maker and Artzooka and I think they get lots of inspiration from those two shows.  I think it's a great hobby and I hope that we will have many lovely pictures to frame in the years to come!

The artist's other creation

Oven ready

I made these when we were going over to friends' for dinner.  It was a first attempt.  I had a panic attack half way through the baking because the filling was bubbling in a crazy way and I wasn't sure if that was normal, but after they cooled down, they were perfect!  I actually impressed myself.

Butter tarts

Chocolate and butterscotch chip cookies

During my panic attack over the butter tarts I decided to make a batch of cookies just in case!  You never know...

The Cookie Monster

Indian inspired feast

Butter chicken is the kids favourite.  I made a double batch and it all went in one sitting.  We also had coconut rice, which is one of my favourites, and we tried red beans.  That was a bit bland and disappointing.  The next day I added some hot pepper flakes and it tasted way better.

Chicken soup in the making

Mr. T took this photo- this is his favourite soup by far.  He had it four times last week when he was feeling sick.

Lebanese inspired dinner

I wanted something light for dinner and this hit the spot - hummus, crudites, flat bread and tabbouleh.

Dinner Success

Ham frittata, salad and yogurt waffles

This dinner was pretty much a rehash of our brunch on Sunday, though we had fruit salad that time.  We had my good friend from B.C. over with her two sons and the kids just inhaled these waffles.  The best part is that they are really healthy, made with oatmeal & whole wheat flour.  They ate so much that I only got one little square and was craving it the next day.  (Here is a link if you want to try it http://www.marthastewart.com/255561/yogurt-waffles).  The frittata was a hit on the second day when I called it "Green Eggs and Ham Frittata."  Little D had two pieces and dipped it in ketchup but Mr. T just had a nibble off my fork, though that was an improvement from the day before when he refused to touch it at all.  I think the frittata will be a good option to make for picnics because it tastes great warm or cold and is easy to eat with your hands.  I will keep this in mind for the summer.

Compromise Jell-o

When you want to please two sick kids you let each one choose a flavour- this is peach and fiesta bowl which Little D calls Mexican jell-o! 

Meal plan for week of Apr. 11th 2011

Monday:  Ham Frittata with salad and jell-o

Tuesday:  Cauliflower mac n cheese with cucumber slices (Jamie Oliver recipe)

Wednesday:  White chicken chili with avocado (America's test kitchen recipe)

Thursday: Seared scallops with brown rice & stir-fry veggies

Friday:  BBQ turkey sausages on a bun with coleslaw

Saturday: out

Sunday:  wild card!

We're starting the week off sick, so I hope we can manage this simple meal plan.  I am still searching for the perfect brown rice recipe.  The last few times we had it, it was too mushy, though we ate it anyways.   I have a few back up recipes in mind just in case we get more sick - Plan B:  Spaghetti with tomato sauce, omelets and beef barley soup.  We are trying to eat lighter and healthier as we prepare for my cousin's wedding in May.  I hope to get some photos posted from last week, too.

Shopping

I was at Winners yesterday checking out the cups and saucers.  I'm getting tired of our same old (amazing) Denby set and came across the funniest mug EVER!  I actually burst out laughing and the guy beside me quickly went down the next aisle.  It said "I'm worried there is no PMS and this is just my personality."  Funny because it's true.