Have you ever had the carrot bread they serve at Mimi's? I know Mimi's has restaurants in several states, so perhaps you have. My husband and I ate at Mimi's for the first time a month or two ago and have been back a couple times since. I just love that bread! (And their salads and soups too.) So, when I last went to the grocery store, I carried with me a copy of a bread recipe I found online for Mimi's carrot bread and gathered up all the ingredients I needed to make my own. I finally got around to making it this morning. (Remember yesterday I said I might to a little baking? Well, I couldn't very well let you all down, could I?!)
So this is the result.
Normally I wouldn't have shared this photo. I would have not said anything and let you all think that I'm perfect, but I just couldn't do that. So I'm airing my dirty laundry for all to see. The second loaf wouldn't even come out of the pan without breaking in half!
I'm guessing the problem is that the recipe said to bake it for an hour, and I should have pulled it out after about 40 minutes. The recipe also said the pans shouldn't be greased or floured, but I think it might have helped. I was instructed to use 8" bread pans. Frankly, I didn't measure them, so maybe they were too large, but I don't think so. Being a quilter, you kind of get a feel for what 6", 8", and 12" looks like. Finally, the recipe said to divide the batter into two pans, but I think maybe I should have just used one pan if I was going to bake it for an hour.
I'm now trying to redeem myself with a pan of my Happy Cow mac and cheese. I noticed yesterday that I had a fair amount of miscellaneous cheese in the fridge, and there's nothing better to drown your baking sorrows in than some really good mac and cheese. I just hope my baking biorhythms aren't in decline and it turns out okay.
I'm also a failure when it comes to doing any housecleaning and decorating for summer. I've been locked in the Sweat Shop most of the day, working on that quilt project. Here's a photo of the work in progress:
At least I'm not feeling like a failure when it comes to quilting! I'm pretty happy with it so far. I still need to trim up the squares and sew them together; then I'll have to be patient and await my next delivery from the Fat Quarter Shop so I'll have the additional charm squares and fabric I need for the applique. Maybe I should practice baking while I wait!
Author's Note: The mac and cheese came out so-so. I think it was the cheese. Or my baking biorhythms. I think I'll stay out of the kitchen the rest of the weekend. Maybe the rest of the year.
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