Halloween Leftovers: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

I have some leftover Halloween pictures to share. Which makes sense because we fill up October with so many Halloween events, it takes forever to get through them all. 

My kids started the day off with a festive open-faced Monster Breakfast Sandwich. 

And then we accompanied Thatkid to school for his Halloween parade and flash-mob dance.

Thatbaby's preschool has a no costume rule, but do pajama day instead.  He wore some fun new Halloween pajamas for the occasion.

They do have a Halloween party, so he made "Make a Monster" kits for all his friends and brought them in.

After school we went to a Halloween party at the home of one of Thatkid's classmates.

And then we all headed out to trick or treat!

The neighborhood we went to was new to us, but had some great decorations.

The kids came home with quite the haul!

Not only did I have leftover Halloween pictures, we also had leftover Halloween candy.  Due to some poor communication, both Thatboy and I had picked up Halloween candy to hand out.  Plus I had picked up a bag of Reeses Peanut Butter cups for us.  So we had....a lot of peanut butter cups.  I was trying to think of ways to use them up, and I could have thrown them into brownies or cookies, but really, we already had so much candy, I wanted to make something a little less dessert-y.  I tried to think of what went well with peanut butter and chocolate and I came up with bananas.  Really, such a no brainer when you think about it.  Chocolate chip banana bread is already a thing, and peanut butter seems like a natural addition.

I always have frozen bananas on hand, and defrosted frozen bananas make the BEST mashed bananas for banana bread.  My family agrees.  We ate this entire loaf in 2 days!  No leftovers here!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 stick butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

3 eggs

3 bananas, mashed

1/3 cup sour cream

1 cup peanut butter cups, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 325.  Spray a loaf pan with baking spray.  Combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium sized bowl.
2. Beat the butter in an electric mixer until soft and fluffy.  
3. Add sugar to butter and continue to mix.
4. Add eggs, one at a time.
5. Mix in mashed bananas and sour cream.
6. Add the dry ingredients on low speed, continue mixing until just combined.
7.  Stir the peanut butter cups into the batter and pour into the prepared pan.  Bake for 75 minutes, or until cooked through.
8. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before turning onto a rack and allowing to completely cool.

Boys Boys, Jump For Joy: Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Pancetta and Spinach

Christmas was kind to us.  But it didn't start out that way.  It started out fairly ominously - in fact, it was downright terrifying.  At least for Thatbaby.  TSIL had a Santa costume she convinced Thatboy to wear.  When he made his appearance, Thatbaby was NOT happy.

He clung to me, trembling and crying. And can you blame him?  What is the deal with some creepy stranger who breaks into your house at night?

Don't worry, Thatboy perked right up once that weird bearded guy left.  And then things got really good when he realized there were loads of presents.  It didn't seem to bother him that some weren't for him as he ran off with Thatboy's new sweater and my new apron. 

Some of the presents were for him though.  And his hands down favorite?

His new trampoline! He barely unwrapped it before getting on it and starting to jump.  And at least once a day he pulls it out and asks us to set up so he can bounce bounce bounce.  I think we have a bonafide boy on our hands!

My friend Twofer has more than one bonafide boy on her hands.  She just had her second baby boy right before we left for the inlaws.  So when we got back, I brought them over some treats.

Spaghetti with pancetta, tomatoes, and spinach, along with a bottle of wine for dinner.  And banana bread for dessert.  Or breakfast.  Or snack.  Let's just say that when I had a newborn, there was a lot of banana bread snacking going on, so I knew she'd appreciate it.  By the way, this recipe makes 2 loaves, one for Twofer, and one for us!  We almost inhaled the whole loaf for breakfast the next morning

Spaghetti with Pancetta, Tomatoes, and Spinach

16oz spaghetti
2 Tbsp olive oil

2 oz diced pancetta

4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 red onion, chopped
2 pints cherry tomatoes

salt and pepper

2 cups spinach
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
 

1. Cook spaghetti according to box directions.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown pancetta in oil.
3. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook just until fragrant (about 30 seconds)
4. Add the onions and cook until transluscent (about 5 minutes)
5. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan with the spinach and cook until spinach wilts.
7. Toss with the Parmesan and serve.

 Buttermilk Banana Bread

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

3 bananas, mashed

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

 

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 2 loaf pans with baking spray.  Cream butter in an electric mixer.
2. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Stir in eggs, one at a time, beating until each egg is incorporated.
4. Add bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.
5. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt, just until combined.  Pour into pans and bake for about 1 hour, until cooked through.

I've been remiss

I realized the other day that although I have a recipe for corn muffins in the blog, I don't have a recipe for corn bread. Which is weird because I think it's fairly well known that I love chili, and chili and cornbread go together like... well...chili and cornbread.

I have a bit of extra time tonight since I'm playing surf widow. It's a role I'll be playing all week. Poor Thatdog has been sitting by the door for a while now, just waiting for Thatboy to get home. So I thought this would be a good time to blog my savory corn bread recipe. I tend to go two ways with cornbread - sweet, which includes the addition of honey, and savory which includes the addition of corn, cheese, and jalapenos. Although this particular cornbread doesn't include jalapenos, if you want to throw them in, I typically do it at the same time as the corn and cheese get tossed in.

I like using sour cream instead of oil to keep the cornbread from being too dry. Buttermilk also works wonders for this, or some greek yogurt. You want something creamy and a tinge sour for this savory side. When I make a sweet cornbread, I usually use oil instead, because then I don't need the tang.

The most important ingredient is obviously going to be the corn. I prefer sweet corn and during the summer it's easy to find fresh, sweet corn. However, since my chili days are usually in colder non-fresh corn seasons, frozen sweet corn works almost as well.

Cheesy Cornbread
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sour cream
2 eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup corn kernels

1. Preheat oven to 350. Stir together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, sour cream, and eggs.
2. Stir in half of the cheese and all of the corn. Pour into a greased shallow baking dish.
   
3. Bake for 35 minutes or until cooked through. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
   

An Alternative to Cornbread

One of the reasons I love going to the Farmer's Market every week is because of the great local vendors. I love supporting them, and it's easy to do when they have such an amazing selection. In general, I get all my preserves from Jackie's Jams, but the past couple weeks another stand has drawn my attention. It's probably the hot pink banner that draws me in, but it could very well be the name that attracts me to Rockstar Preserves.

What I really liked about Rockstar Preserves is that they have more than just preserves (so I can stay loyal to Jackie's Jams too). They also have some really delicious sauces. As I was tasting the Ancho Chili Sauce, I was informed that this was a key ingredient in their amazing chili recipe. Well you don't have to say "chili" to me twice! I was given the recipe and sworn to secrecy. Although, if you haven't picked a good chili for the Superbowl, it seems that the secret recipe might also be available on their website.

My favorite chili side is cornbread, but I was also making turkey and hominy soup this weekend and had some hominy to use up. Tossing the hominy into a spoon bread makes for an excellent substitution to a buttery cornbread. Spoonbread is typically a bit lighter, so it won't steal the attention from your favorite dark and flavorful chili. I like to think of it as a cross between cornbread and Yorkshire pudding - light, airy, and deliciously corny! It has the same golden color as cornbread which is perfectly complementary to most soups, stews, and of course, chili!

Alsace's Spoon Bread (From the Fannie Farmer Cookbook)
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup grits
1/2 cup canned hominy
1 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 375. Butter a baking dish.
2. Combine all ingredients and beat until well blended.
3. Pour into the baking dish and bake 50-60 minutes or until a straw inserted into the center comes out clean.

Like a Rock - Eat.Live.Be. for a Better 2011

Rock [rok] -noun. A firm foundation or support. Colloquially used in phrases such as "solid as a rock" and "steady as a rock." Both implications of something or someone who is dependable and strong.

When I first became a lawyer, one of the partners at my firm told me that when he builds a case, he builds a house. And the materials used to build it are important. You want to build your house of brick, so it stands strong. It's a good philosophy - and not just for law. For anything. Whatever you're building, you need to have a strong foundation. A foundation of rock.

This week's theme for Eat.Live.Be. For a Better 2011 is "Where is Your Support Community?" And so I thought I would introduce you to my foundation. My support. My rocks.

The first one should be obvious if you've been reading this blog for longer than a week. Thatboy is my partner in crime when it comes to hitting the gym. No matter what your goal is - to lose weight, gain muscle, build endurance, or in my case, build strength, it is SO helpful to have someone to goad you in to going to the gym. There are so many nights when one of us doesn't want to go. So many nights when the thought of slipping into pajamas and starting the fireplace sounds a million times better than slipping into gym clothes and starting the elliptical. Having someone to say "we really should go" is the exact kick in the butt you need to get yourself in to gear.

My second support in this challenge is a silly one. Do you like to make lists? I do. I love a visualization of my accomplishments. Crossing off things I've done gives me such a giddy sense of happiness. Which is why I really like sparkpeople.com. It has this little water tracker.

We recommend that you get at least 8 cups of water a day. Click the arrows to track the amount of water you have consumed. 10

SO cute. Everytime I drink a glass of water I click on it and I can see my water glass filling up. It honestly makes it fun to drink - kind of a game to see when I can get my glass to overflow.

And of course there's the online community! All of you keep me honest. Because all this week, when I skipped going to the gym, I kept thinking, "I'm going to have to tell everyone what a failure I am." And no one wants to admit to everyone what a failure they are!

Next week's topic is Baby It's Cold Outside - how to keep inspired to work out in the cold winter months.

And here are a list of the other bloggers participating:

• Sarah - www.sarahscucinabella.com
• Cate - www.sweetnicks.com
  
• Maris - www.ingoodtasteblog.net
• Chris - www.melecotte.com
• Faith - www.clickblogappetit.com/
• Kristen - www.dineanddish.net
• Emily - http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/
• Jenna - http://stopdropandblog.com/
• Joanne - http://www.joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/,
• Casey - http://www.thestarnesfam.com
• Patsy - http://familyfriendsandfood.blogspot.com/
• Tri-Fit Mom - http://trifitmom.blogspot.com/
• Claire - http://cookiedoc.blogspot.com/
• Allison - http://sweetflours.blogspot.com/
• Jen - http://njepicurean.blogspot.com/
• Leslie - www.thehungryhousewife.com
• Rivki - http://www.healthyeatingforordinarypeople.com/
  
• Claudia from Journey of an Italian Cook
• Jennifer - http://lick-a-plate.blogspot.com/
  

And now, since we're on the topic of rocks, let me introduce you to one of my favorite kind of rocks. That's right, it's the Rock Lobster.

Gah, I will never grow tired of the B-52s. Now I know I told you that I prefer live lobsters, but unfortunately we just don't get live rock lobsters 'round these here parts.

Our waters are just too cold. Instead, rock lobster tails are usually imported frozen from warmer seas like in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. Which makes them perfect for those of you who are squeamish about the whole "live lobster" thing. Or those of you who are squeamish about the whole "OMG I have to do all that work to get the meat out" thing. Either way, the lobster tail is where some of the sweetest meat is, and boiling a lobster tail couldn't be easier. Just remember, shellfish cooks quickly and there's nothing worse than overdoing it and ending up with a rubbery, flavorless mess. These lobster tails cook for 3-5 minutes. After that, drain them, and cut down the center of the underside with a knife, popping out the meat.

So this Valentine's Day serve a lobster tail, either on it's own or served alongside a nice cut of steak, the perfect surf and turf. If you've noticed, I serve my lobster with spoon bread. It's the southerner in me. There's just something about shellfish and corn. Spoon bread is a nice alternative to corn bread, but with the same great flavor. This one is a little lighter than the one from last night, made with white corn meal instead of your classic yellow.

Light Spoon Bread (from The Fannie Farmer Cookbook)
1 cup white cornmeal
1 Tbsp melted butter
3 eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 375. Butter a casserole dish. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil and pour it over the cornmeal in a bowl, stirring consistently.
2. Add the butter, egg yolks, buttermilk, salt, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Stir until well blended.
3. Beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry.
4. Gently stir a fourth of the whites into the cornmeal mixture, then fold in the remaining whites. Spoon into the casserole and bake 45 minutes.

Thatboy's girls

Today has been a very good day for Thatboy. As I sit and type this, he's watching Ke$ha dancing around the stage on last week's SNL. When I shot him a "really?" look, he quickly defended himself. "What? I like her!"

And earlier tonight we hit the gym. I love our gym. Normally we get the women in tanks and shorts or capris on the cardio, and the men over in the weight section. Every now and then we'll have an...interesting...addition. Like the girl who showed up in pajamas and slippers and proceeded to run full out on the treadmill. Tonight, we had a different kind of exerciser. We'll call her "naked girl." Mostly because...well, she wasn't wearing any clothing. She wore a sports bra, and boy short underwear. And no shoes or socks. And proceeded to adjust her breasts within the sports bra shortly after starting her...workout. As we left, Thatboy asked me whether I thought she was a stripper or a porn star. "Either way," he told me, "I don't mind. She was hot."

But of course, neither Ke$ha or Naked Girl was going home with Thatboy, so I definitely win as his favorite girl. Especially when I'm the one packing his lunches, making his dinners, and baking up fabulous breakfasts that he can easily take to work with him. Do any of you have husbands/boyfriends/children like this? Thatboy sleeps until the latest possible moment, rushing out the door so he can meet his train. Which means a sit down breakfast is never going to happen. I have to make him something he can pack up and eat on the train or it's no breakfast for Thatboy. And we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

This bread was made during my blueberry phase. Yes, I go through fruit phases. I'll completely forget I like blueberries and then all of a sudden I have one and think - YES! This is what I've been missing! Right now I'm in a Cara Cara orange phase. A little specific, but what the heck. Anyway, back when I was in my blueberry phase, the idea of blueberry bread seemed like a fabulous idea. Like blueberry muffins, but loafier! Almost as fabulous as wearing clothing to the gym.

Blueberry Bread

• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup apple sauce
• 1/4 cup apple juice
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter, 3/4 cup sugar, apple sauce, and apple juice.
2. Beat in eggs, milk, and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder.
4. Add dry mixture to wet mixture.
   
5. Fold in blueberries and pour into a loaf pan.
6. Combine remaining 2 tsp sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle on top. Bake for 1 hour.