I Loaf You

Since I got to New Zealand, I've been settling into a somewhat better eating routine than I was in during the chaotic last 8 months (or so) in Minnesota and in Michigan. A happy by-product of my newfound groove has been that I'm attempting to prepare/cook foods in advance, rather than eating out or consuming packaged goods at the alarming rate I have been known to achieve.

If you know me, then you're probably aware that I have about 4 "meals" that I make regularly. In descending order of frequency: Tacos, enchiladas, tuna-medlies, and tortellini. I don't generally venture far from my culinary path. I just make these things and then portion them out in little tupperwares to be consumed at a later date.

Well, here I am in the land where shredded cheese is a little spendy (I grate my own), tortillas are questionable, and vegetables are plentiful. Vegetables are one of my weak points. I make frozen veggie-medlies or asparagus and that's all. So, I've decided to embrace the plentiful veggies and all-season Farmer's Market while I'm here. My two flatmates are both quite capable cooks/bakers...why can't I be too?

So, I've managed to create some foods that can be considered all mine. I've discovered that stir frying garlic, red bell peppers, zucchini, brown rice, and tofu can create a super awesome pile of stuff to cram into a tortilla.

Last night I roasted potatoes for the first time in my life. But not just potatoes...pumpkin too! There is this variety of pumpkin here in New Zealand that is specifically for eating. So I covered chunks of red potatoes, pumpkin, garlic, and carrots in olive oil, salt and pepper and roasted them. They were delicious. I realize that this is not an amazing culinary achievement, but I'm still learning.

My final achievement is a simple one. My mom has been making this since I was wee...and yet, I never bothered to learn how to make it myself.
BANANA BREAD.
I'm not a baker. In fact, I can barely follow directions at all. I lack the attention span or patience to read and re-read my instructions. However, this is something I want to remedy as baking can supposedly be quite therapeutic and I could use all the therapy it can bring me (if not the calories).

I managed to make my loaf. It was rather pretty (by my standards). I must note, however, that my loaf was rather more yellow than my Mom's. Her loaf is brown and nutty and my loaf was light and smooth. I think I like the nuts. Next time (oh yes, there will be a next time) I will try something more texture-ific.

Look how pretty my loaf is!