First let me say that I am really glad I joined this club. This week’s recipe was chosen by A Year In The Kitchen by Ashlee. I was really glad I named my blog Pantry Revisited because my first loaf was a disaster and I was quite sure everyone would know for certain that I had not baked in a while once they viewed my pictures. Maybe baking is like exercising and you do need to visit your pantry often to keep in good baking shape! I did not have dark rum so I substituted spiced rum. By the time I removed the loaf from the oven, I felt as though I would have been better off just drinking the rum than wasting it in the loaf itself. Even though I baked it an hour and a half, and used the foil teepee on it, the loaf itself was very dense and rubbery. My husband says he likes dense and rubbery so it did not stop him from devouring it. Of course we are talking about a man who could eat a piece of firewood if it had some ketchup or pesto rubbed on it and a dark beer to help flush it down. In the world of smells and tastes, there are some seriously great ones and rum does not seem to be one of them to me.
Then, in a forehead slapping moment, and because I do not respond well to failure, I was challenged to try again and make this loaf work. I mean, I was not going to let a little banana loaf get the best of me. After all, I’m bigger, I’m stronger, I’m smarter than that! So it was back to the store to buy more staples and start all over again. Remembering Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are great bakers, was also a great comfort to me.
I figured since Love is Lovelier, the Second Time Around maybe banana loafs are too? So the flour, the sugar, the bananas, the chocolate, and me decided to go at it again together. The first picture above is the disaster loaf complete with its friend the bottle of spiced rum which I am going to permanently retire to the liquor cabinet.
This time, I followed the recipe’s instructions I 'thought' to the letter and was very happy when I placed it in the oven. While the texture turned out much better, the chocolate seemed to overpower the banana taste. I did not realize until I got here this morning that I had made one giant mistake yet again! I had not mixed some of the batter in with the chocolate before filling my loaf pan.
Let's just end this with, it's back to the pantry for me. . .. . .

Comments

Amanda said…
Peggy, BOTH loaves look fabulous. I am very glad you joined the club, too!!
Anonymous said…
I think your bread looks great! Welcome to TWD!
melly~ said…
it's all feedback for next time, right? keep at it. the journey is most of the fun.
welcome to TWD!
Nancy/n.o.e said…
I think I would have liked the intense chocolate shot taste in your second loaf. They both look great, and well, practice does make perfect. Or something!

Nancy
The Dogs Eat the Crumbs
Marie Rayner said…
Oh dear, despite your problems, your loaves both look great to me! Welcome to the group!
Anonymous said…
(Love your banner!)
I'm sorry you had such trouble! Maybe your bakign soda was expired? Anyway, I found this recipe to work well, but I was really freaked out by how runny my batter was... I popped it into the convection oven and let it go for an hour Turned out OK... I think you did a great job, I mean come on! You made this twice in one week, good for you for takin ga stab at it!!
Nickki said…
Welcome to TWD! Sorry your first recipe wasn't a hit for you...they do look lovely though! :)
Julie said…
hahaha - great blog Madge!! I know, I know, it's not a nickname for Peggy. I'd like to see a pic of Chan with a piece of firewood with ketchup on it. You're just a lovely banana loafer....great job, girl!
Pamela said…
Welcome to TWD! The loaves still look pretty good. Love the description of your DH eating anything with ketchup or pesto. :o)
hoagiefest 2020 said…
A+ for persistence! Second tries are good for character AND for baked goods :)
Peabody said…
Oh well, you just keep learning. :)
Judy said…
Good for you taking a second stab at the recipe. I seems that many people had problems the first time, re-made it and had fabulous results. Welcome!
Prudy said…
Welcome! It looks fab to me.
My loaf was rubbery, too, and I also used spiced rum. Blech! Oh, well. On to the ice cream!
Summertime said…
They both look great. I used the dark rum in mine, but the flavor didn't really come through in the baked loaf.
Kana said…
Welcome to TWD!
Anonymous said…
welcome! I'm only a couple recipes into this myself! You have such dedication to do it twice-- I have to say if a recipe fails, I usually blame it on the recipe and then cut and run. Hope next week treats you better!
Mary said…
I love that you made it twice! Oh well...mistakes are delicious too!
Kristin said…
Love the blog...thanks for sending!
Jaime said…
they look great; sorry you didn't enjoy the taste as much. mine was light and moist

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