People seem to have differing definitions when it comes to the word vegetarian. Here are some of the responses I get when I tell someone I am indeed, a vegetarian. "So, what do you eat?" "Me too, I just eat chicken and fish..." "Why?!" "How do you get your protein?" "We don't know what you eat...so we did not get anything special." "We are not equipped for vegetarians!" (my all time favorite from my ex-mother in law).
Of course, there are many, many more...but these are some of my favorites. So let me start off by saying, I am a vegetarian because I don't like meat. I don't like the texture, taste, smell...any of it. There is no political agenda behind my choice. It is merely a preference. Additionally, if you eat chicken and fish you are not a vegetarian. To borrow a line from Linda McCartney, "I don't eat anything with a face."
A little history...its been a life long battle. My parents were not thrilled with my non meat loving ways early on. Stubbornly I fought them every night. The beef stroganoff, meatloaf, fish sticks and Salisbury steaks sat on my plate night after night. Finally, divorced and preoccupied with new spouses, they let me be and I began my meatless life.
My adult life has led me to a true appreciation for food. I love to cook and try new recipes. Which is the purpose of this blog. I want to share my views, recipes, stories with you! My love for food is not restricted to vegetarianism. In fact, I make more carnivorous meals than anything...because I am fortunate enough to be married to the best man in the world, who is (gasp!) a meat eater. Additionally, my little son is just venturing into the world of solid foods, which includes meat. It will be his choice whether he continues to eat meat or not as he gets older. For the time being, I feel a necessary supplement to his diet.
Hopefully you will enjoy the stories, recipes and silly bloggings. And please share your stories and recipes with me!
To start - my favorite banana bread recipe...courtesy of Test Kitchen Magazine. I love it because you roast the bananas first to extract all that amazing banana flavor...with only a 1/2 cup of sugar its a bread I am thrilled to make Max. Enjoy!
Banana Bread - preheat 325 degrees; prepare a loaf pan (8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches) with butter coating or vegetable spray, such as Pam.
4 large, ripe bananas (do not add more than 1 1/2 cup to batter)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cut into 4 pieces (chilled but not frozen)
Roast 4 large bananas unpeeled on a rimmed, tin foil covered baking sheet for 20 minutes. Remove bananas and allow them to cool enough to handle. The banana skins will turn black so don't be alarmed
Peel the bananas and mash them with a potato masher until smooth. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of banana and set aside
Wisk the eggs and vanilla together in a small bowl and set aside.
In a large bowl combined the dry ingredients; flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. At the oil and cream cheese (one piece at a time) and mix until only pea-sized pieces of cream cheese remain. Slowly add the egg mixture and then the mashed bananas.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes (test with a toothpick to ensure only a few crumbs come out).
Let me know what you think!
