GOING BANANAS

Death, taxes and no-show contractors I believe are the only three things you can count on in life! I like to think that the team of people I work with are fairly reliable in an unreliable industry but, faced with finding other resources to help finish the renovations in our home, we've been at the mercy of contractors I've never worked with before. So, like a rocky relationship, we've been lied to, cheated on and told empty promises. Quite frankly, I've been going bananas waiting for floor people to give estimates, contractors to keep appointments, painters to show...how do these people keep their jobs?? So, to kill the time while waiting for no-shows, I decided to bake banana bread! It was easy, quick and delicious!

HERE'S HOW I KEPT MYSELF FROM GOING BANANAS:

From the Joy of Cooking I found this simple recipe:

1.) Have all ingredients at room temperature. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven, preheat to 350. Grease an 8.5" x 4.5" loaf pan. Whisk together:

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2.) In a large bowl beat on high speed until lightened in color and texture, 2 to 3 minutes: 5 1/3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 2/3 cup sugar

3.)Beat in the flour mixture until blended and the consistency of brown sugar, Gradually beat in: 2 large eggs, lightly beaten.

4.)Fold in just until combined: 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (usually 2), 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans.

5.)Scrape the batter into the pan and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes.

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: 1 hour

COST: $5.00

STRESS LEVEL: Still waiting for contractor to show: HIGH