banana bread disaster

you know when you have made something a million times (ok, 5) but it always turns out well and then the one time you are going to make it for someone else, it's craps out on you? yes? me too. all the time.

a couple weeks ago, i decided to make banana bread for a friend. i followed the normal recipe, which calls for oat flour. i hadn't had oat flour the last 5 times i've made it and just used regular all purpose flour (are you horrified?). it turned out amazing. best banana bread you've ever had (no, really. it was awesome). this time, i had oat flour (i even grinded it down myself. that's how pioneer woman i was). i mixed up the batter, poured it in the pan, and 30 min later, i was greeted with a sad, flat piece of banana mush. it tasted good but it looked clinically depressed.

help me, i'm sad :(

it made me rethink my culinary prowess. it's a turning point. so for the next few weeks, my goals is to try new recipes, practice my technique, and probably gain 10 lbs. no, i mean, make super healthy and delicious meals that don't look sad at all. they'll look excited and invigorated. well, i'll just try to make my banana bread and see if i can pull that together. baby steps.

here's the recipe if you'd like to try along with me (note: feel free to replace with regular flour. i have made the cookie version with oat flour before and it's turned out well. just try not to use too much banana -- hence, banana mush). good luck! (another note: after re-reading the recipe, i realized i didn't cook it long enough so maybe i should just read directions? and maybe i should get tested for salmonella?) ok, good luck!

• 1 cup(s) of raw sugar
• 1 tbsp. of butter (regular or nondairy)
• 1 cup(s) of mashed over ripe bananas (2 or 3)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. of real vanilla extract
• 1 cup(s) of oat flour
• 3/4 tsp. of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. of baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. of salt
• 1/2 cup(s) of semisweet chocolate chips

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
3. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of a loaf pan.
4. Put it in the bottom of the pan and spray it with cooking spray.
5. Pour in the batter and cover it loosely with foil.
6. Bake for 30 minutes.
7. Remove foil, then bake for another 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out almost clean (moist crumbs are fine).
8. Cool completely, then slice and serve.

recipe credit: bethenny frankel (www.bethenny.com)