Empty Plate Syndrome and CHOPPED - itis?

I am suffering from Empty Plate Syndrome. At least it's a cool plate though, huh? I have to admit I rarely serve food on this set as the design is too busy to compliment any food served on it but I had to have them anyway and they look nice on my kitchen wall.

It's been so long since I've posted a recipe here that I'll bet you thought I'd died of starvation, huh? Well, almost! I've been so bloody busy that I haven't tried out too many recipes lately - which means I'm not having as much fun eating. I have - OMG! - even hit the Crap in a Box windows a few times. You may beat me with a wet pad thai noodle now.

I am, by trade, an artist/illustrator/graphic designer and that has been keeping me away from my kitchen more than I would like lately. The one thing I did test out was a loaf of Peanut Butter Banana Bread because I had several overripe bananas to use. It turned out horrible - dry, crumbly and you can barely taste either the banana or the peanut butter. That was a waste of my precious cooking time as well as the ingredients. Anyone out there have a good recipe for peanut butter banana bread??

I have been able to catch my favorite cooking shows - Top Chef Masters, Chef vs. City, Iron Chef America and the often aggravating Chopped. Aggravating to me because sometimes I think the judges are a bit mean spirited - have you SEEN what they give some of those contestants in the "mystery baskets" to cook with, not to mention how little time they have to create a dish? That's not to say some of the contestants aren't a bit of a pain at times too and I'll admit it's fun to watch some of the inflated egos get "Chopped". I do like host Ted Allen and wonder every show why he isn't part of the judging panel.

The short cooking time and the contents of those dreaded baskets is a challenge to anyone's creativity and skills. This morning I watched last night's episode "First Things Worst" as I checked my e-mails and I had a great thought. Wouldn't it be fun if they would take the three judges - most often Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarón Sánchez, and Scott Conant - and put them to the same test? I would dearly LOVE to see them tackle a "mystery basket" under the same conditions, wouldn't you?

BTW, though I haven't had a lot of time to enjoy cooking or eating I have managed to still have some fun with food - check out my fun pop art Pop-sicles "CHILLAXIN'':

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