Going bananas for bananas

I'm not a big fan of bananas. I get really happy when there are bananas in the house, but mostly because Tortilla the Emo Turtle likes bananas and it means he might eat something and fill his little tummy. Lately I've been thinking of banana bread, though. And lately I've been feeling really happy when I see ripe, squishy bananas, and thoughts of hoarding them in the fridge have crossed my mind quite a number of times. Last month, the right moment came (ripe bananas + free time + opportune moment to use the oven) to bake some banana bread. I found a good recipe and tweaked it some.

You've to make sure you've got all your ingredients ready. You don't wanna be drooling over thoughts of banana bread only to realize you've run out of flour, or don't have enough bananas to push the banana factor to the max. You can rummage around and use a recipe you like, but most recipes will have the following: bananas (duh), flour, eggs, sugar, baking powder, salt, and oil. Spices optional.

Beat your eggs. I like mine with plenty of bubbles. Not sure if that helps the bread, but I think it makes for a prettier picture. And you can work those arm muscles (optional).

Mash your potatoes bananas. Some recipes tell you what the texture and consistency of the bananas should be, and even discuss techniques of mashing, or even if mashing is the way to go. I don't care. A squished-up banana is a squished-up banana.

Mix all the ingredients together. If you're like me, you end up with more banana bread mixture on your shirt than in the bowl. Tastes good, eitherways.

Pour or ladle or throw mixture into a bread tin and put in oven to bake. I had to constantly check on my banana bread to make sure it didn't burn, and really I guess it depends on what temperature you set it to.

Be patient. Don't rush the process. And don't burn your fingers and tongue by grabbing and munching on fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread, no matter how pretty and yummy and warm and toasty it looks. Because fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread is really pretty and yummy and warm and toasty.

And the aroma that wafts up and tickles your nose when you slice that first slice of crusty banana bread. And that first taste of crumbly banana-ey goodness, with just the perfect amount of sweetness to whet your appetite for more.

And maybe then you'll understand why you feel that sudden urge to hoard bananas in the fridge.