Patience in the Process

Evan.  "Oh my goodness!  I'm so tired of grating zucchini!"
Me.  "You've only grated half of one."
Evan.  "I know!  It's taking so long!"
Me.  "Evan, the best food is a result of the best ingredients being handled in the best way.  It's a process.  And it's worth it."

This launched me into a long and passionate lecture, mostly to myself, about how our instant-gratification, microwave it now, swing through a drive-thru culture robs itself of enjoying excellent food because it's in a hurry.  We want 15 minute, pre-cooked, pre-chewed foods.  Maybe not pre-chewed, but surely there's a market for that too!

 "Evan, cooking is art.  I watch as you carefully pick the right colors when you paint or color.  You aren't in a hurry - you slow down to enjoy the next step.  Add the next color.  Decide how you want the painting to look when you are done.  In cooking you do the same thing.  Sometimes it's effort, but the flavor will always shine the brightest when you slow down, enjoy the process, and add the ingredients that are going to produce the flavors you want."

Why blog about this?

Because we all have to eat anyway.

Because we are sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Because our hearts break when we watch loved ones suffer or die prematurely simply because they didn't pay attention to the chemicals, fats, and preservatives they consumed in their convenience-oriented meals.

Because there are more of us who are joining the ranks of "process."  Time.  Planning.  Love in the language of food.  Standing over savory smells at the stove and sweet temptations in the mixer.  Bringing our spouses and children in to enjoy and participate in the process with us.  Even if it slows us down.  Even if it makes more messes.  Even if the results aren't the same.

Crazy Good Banana Bread

All photos courtesy of Mel Adair.

I love cookie dough.  Chocolate chip cookie dough.  After whipping up a batch, I have to bake it or freeze it as quickly as possible or I eat it.  Then I have guilt so I don't make it for a long time.  

Confession:  This banana bread dough is nearly as good, if not dangerously better than cookie dough!  I know, I know.  You're thinking that no one in their right mind would eat bread dough.   But this isn't normal bread dough.  This is crazy good banana bread dough that does a Cirque du Soleil in your mouth.  If you are a purist, this recipe is NOT for you.  If you are adventurous, this one is worth a shot!

I pulled the original recipe off the Food Network site, courtesy of Emeril Lagasse, in 2010 and have been making adaptions since.   

Speaking of crazy....