I’m a lady… and this Valentine’s Day I’m going to treat myself like a lady. I’ll open doors for myself. I’ll pour myself the first glass of wine. I’ll let me eat the last soft french fry. I’ll drape my coat over a puddle for me to walk across. I’ll slyly check myself out as I walk by. Huh? I’ll buy myself movie tickets and tell me I look pretty today. That’s how it’s going to go down. Except… I won’t put my jacket in a puddle because that’s just dumb. Who does that? Dummies.
This Valentine’s Day is going to get pretty glamorous. I’m going to make myself a sandwich, scoop up some olives and drink a perfectly reasonable amount of wine. Dig it.
This Valentine’s Day, I’d also like to tell these people that I love them… because I do. I love you Asher, Launa, Lauren, Whitney, Zach, Rachel, Jenelle (you crazy lady), Jill, Kitten and Michael. I love you all so much. I love you enough to throw chocolate at you and run away. Wait… what? Let’s make out. Nevermind.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and you.
It’s a good day to love people. It also seems like a good day to love olives and marbles and wine.
Don’t confuse olives and marbles in your mouth. Mistake.
I’m no rocket scientist. Yea. Duh. This sandwich isn’t a genius combination of ingredients. It is super delicious and melty and green and salty. So at least there’s that.
This is the world in which I’ll be shoveling this sandwich into my face.
Cat eats my olives.
Oh! And this is what I’m having for dessert.
It’s a banana stuffed with dark chocolate and white chocolate and salted peanuts and shredded coconut. I wrapped it in foil and baked it in the oven. When I was a kid we would pull this sort of stunt while at sleep away camp, but we’d cook the foil covered bananas in the campfire. That’s livin.
Also… don’t be alarmed that the baked banana peel will be black. That’s what happens when bananas peels are baked. The inside will be a warm baked banana topped with melted chocolate, et al. But… it’s not like this is a fancy show piece dessert. It’s more of a dessert-for-one sort of situation.
Now this is the part where I give you instructions on how to make a sandwich…. as if you don’t already know…. forgive me.
Spinach Goat Cheese Ham Sandwich
Makes: one sandwich
2 slices whole wheat or sourdough bread
2 tablespoons goat cheese, softened
handful of fresh spinach leaves
4 slices thin sliced ham
whole grain mustard
fresh ground black pepper
scant 1 tablespoon butter for the skillet
Place a skillet over medium low heat and melt butter.
Spread one tablespoon of goat cheese on each slice of bread. Top one slice with spinach and the other slice with ham. Spread a bit of whole grain mustard atop the ham and smush the two pieces of bread together. Grill on either side until golden brown and delicious. Remove from skillet. Allow to cool for two or three minutes before cutting in half. Enjoy with olives and wine.
Baked Bananas
Makes: one banana
1 banana
2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoons white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon sweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon roasted and salted peanuts
Place a rack in the center of the oven and place a baking sheet on the rack. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut the head and butt of of a whole banana. Slice lengthwise down the peel (not through the entire banana, just the peel) and open the peel, revealing just the top of the banana.
Stuff banana with chocolate chips, coconut and cuts. Wrap loosely in foil and place on baking sheet to cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before unwrapping and enjoying straight from the peel. Get in there.
eve
dude…you are awesome, so so awesome. I love your blog. I am eating my second baked banana of the night as I type this. thank you for sharing this with all of us.
audrey
Wow. You’re a genius! I love this blog of yours. I’ve been bookmarking recipe after recipe. And such beautiful photographs to match!
Megan
Oh, I am SO EXCITED for your cookbook! Will the yummy dessert-banana and Fancy Grilled Cheese recipes be in it too? : D Because that would be awesome.
Charlene Austin
There are just so many good things about this post. First –you always make me chuckle! I hope you had a wonderful V-day. The sandwich looks amazing and I’ll try it one day for sure. I love goat cheese but my hubby only likes it in minimal amounts so I’m always looking for ways to use it up. Of course I buy the Costco size log. Haha. Lastly – we called those Banana Boats and used to make them camping with choc chips and mini marshmallows (kind of a replacement for Smores) but I make them occasionally for myself with just choc chips. The idea to add coconut and peanuts is friggin’ brilliant and I cannot wait to try this. Simple but sooooo YUM-O!
newton
I have been looking forward to making this sandwich all week and just had it for dinner. Sweet Lord. It is perfect.
Kristi Rimkus
I love your sense of humor, and my cat would be eating the olives too. I have goat cheese, spinach, ham and a panini maker. Sounds like dinner to me.
cassie o
for a second i was afraid you weren’t gonna give the banana recipe.
sorry i doubted you :(
Mararia
hey!
I made the sandwich for my son and friends, I must say it was an exito!
Thanks Joy for your delicious recipes!
Karen
I made a variation of this sandwich for lunch today. I used the basic concept, but used spreadable swiss cheese instead of goat cheese (not a fan of goat cheese), and I used spicy dijon mustard. I also made it on whole wheat honey-oat bread and used cooking spray instead of butter. Less calories :) It was delicious!
Mindy Kearns
Amazing sandwich! Tried it on ciabatta bread. Yum! Getting ready to attempt your peanut butter pecan biscotti. Thanks for your recipes.
Lauren
1st off just wanted to say that I LOVE your blog and Happy Valentine’s Day! And I love that idea of the banana dessert over a campfire. I do alot of camping and I am soooo gonna be hit on the next trip, thanks!
Tiffany
I have been looking forward to making this sandwich all week (sad, I know) and just had it for dinner. Sweet Lord. It.was.perfect.
Thanks, Joy! :)
jenelle
Joy,
You made me blush. I look good when I blush. For that, I thank you. For being you, I love you. For loving Rachel, I adore you. I could go on and on and on…
Sarah
I adore reading your posts. Does cat eat the pits of the olives? Silly cat.
Annie
Great recipe Joy! I think this is a fabulously easy recipe anyone can make, including college students!
I am going to add this link to our Friday Link Drop tomorrow which is featuring all recipes and DIY links this week so make sure to check it out tomorrow to see your link and others like it!
Thanks for this great recipes, we know our readers will love it!
Annie Maguire
*Just Fran*
That is a beautiful sandwich, and who doesn’t love olives? Hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s Day.
karen
Very delicious looking stuff and very creative.
Happy Valentine’s day
Jan
Joy: I love your blog SOOO much! In fact, you remind me a lot of myself in your manner of cooking…except your about a million times better/more creative than I! :) (And, for the record, I was almost named Joy since I was born so close to Christmas. They gave me the name Janet instead. Boo.)
Btw, I found your blog from seeing a picture of you with my other fave blog, “The Pioneer Woman.” Amazing how blog traffic converges, isn’t it?
Thank you for your blog and please keep up the great recipes. And better yet…please write a cookbook! :)
joythebaker
i’m so glad you’re here and a cookbook is on the way!
nicole bembry
I love the banana – forgot all about them . Used to bury them in the coals in girl scouts and then be so excited about hot banana and chocolate and marshmallows in the cold forest! Yum!!
joythebaker
exactly!!
Jessie
another out of control meal. looks incredible.
xxjj
Beth
HA! my cats lick my olives too. eat them if I let them. I thought it was just my funny cats. Jack goes nuts for cucumbers and Bobbie can’t get enough butternut squash or beets. And they both go crazy for broccoli. fun little fuzzies. Some day I’ll stay with them all day long and bake all the yummy things that I bookmark from your site. and I will top it all off with toasted marshmallow shakes. which I have made, and it made me fall in love with you a little more. (but not in a creepy stalker way, just in a meet my fuzzies and sip shakes type of way.) Oh and if you wouldn’t mind, please bring some of those amazing onion rings that I dream about. Thanks for being my kitchen entertainment. I love love love this blog! :)
Keisha G.
Hi Joy,
I am also a self-taught baker, so finding your blog was incredibly inspiring. I love the way you present your bake goods and other food items; truly professional and very pleasing to the eye. Thanks so much for this blog, you are a gifted lady, and I pray that you continue to grow as you walk this wonderful journey of food.
KeishaG.
Melissa
That banana will be mine…
Carolyn
Thanks for the foil banana memory lane. I immediately had to share with my old friend camp buddy.
katie
nothin’ says love like grilled cheese. this looks amazing!
rachel h.
lady! i love you like crazy. truly. my favorite.
also, i am kinda jealous that you got to see asher today.
but that’s okay, cuz i get to see you tomorrow.
big squeezes!
joythebaker
i love you.
Jenifer Louise
There are defining moments in our lives, and yet we never realize just how defining they are until years later. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be looking back on this moment and realizing just how much this baked banana changed my life.
Carly
Mmm, banana boats. I still make these, many years after working at a summer camp. Banana, milk chocolate chips and marshmallows. Yum, yum, YUM! I will definitely try adding peanuts next time. The only thing better than sweet and sweet is sweet and salty! Thanks for your awesomeness, Joy.
philip Geneman
It all looks so good , Joy . I love goat cheese and that sandwich really sounds good. that banana desert looks great as well thanks for this post and this site. I am going to take a look around this site know! oh happy valentines day I know I am a day late for that, but I hope that you had a great valentines day!
glorious sandwiches
eeee! i love all your baking, but obviously sandwiches are where my heart is. :)
Justeen @ Blissful Baking
OMG that baked banana sounds amazing! Totally my kind of treat! Who doesn’t love melty chocolate on sweet, warm banana mmmm!
Natasha @ Saved by the Egg Timer
I make yummy sandwiches like that too. I cannot wait to try the baked banana!
Tori Lynn
You had me at grilled cheese. Holy moly these look amazing!
Crys Black
Hey Joy,
Love your blog and your food. Found you via Ree….love looking at great food on the web. Congrats on your Cookbook!
Have a Question….Would it work to use your Easy No-Roll Pie Crust with pecan pie or a streusel topped apple pie? What would that moisture do to this pie crust. I looks awesome !!!
THANKS !
Amanda R
I made the bananas last night for dessert as a special treat for our family!! Very delicious. Next time, I will try equal tablespoons of the chocolates & cut the bananas in half for a more reasonable serving for the kiddos!! Love your blog!
sarah
Joy posts it, I make it! I made the bananas (called banana boats at my daughter’s camp) last night for Valentine’s Day, how great! I can’t believe I never thought to bring that camp tradition into the ove– and adding nuts and coconut, wow! I used walnuts. I think I will use organic bananas for this use, just cause. Love your blog, and your LA life and your cool friends. Here in the NE it’s good for the soul to see your beach as well as food photos while there’s snow on the ground. Keep it up!
asher
i <3 u back.
cu2mrw!
sheila @ Elements
Oh Joy…I’m so jealous of your yummy ham sandwich! Did you know that for Valentine’s dinner I also had a ham sandwich? Of course not! Did you know that my ham sandwich was just a store-bought bun with a little meat…not even any mustard, mayo, pickles…let alone goat cheese and spinach (my two favorite ingredients in the whole world…besides butter of course.)
Now you may be thinking I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself *sniff, sniff*, but you see, I had to work today, as I’ve had to work every other Valentine’s Day for the past 16 years. That’s how it is when you work in the restaurant. You work holidays. And you feel lucky when you’re employer brings in ham and buns.
So I’ll stop complaining and moaning and groaning about my ham sandwich. It’s just that yours looks SO incredibly good!! Are you envious of the Fritos I had with my plain sandwich? Thought not…’cause you had your yummy baked banana stuffed with yummy stuff. Gosh…I gotta try making that sometimes. It sounds freakin’ awesome!
Anyway, thanks for lettin’ me vent about my sandwich. I sure would have loved yours! :)
Vicki B
Here’s the thing, Joy, I love when you tell us how to make simple things, like sandwiches, because you make them so well! And that baked banana? Heaven! You’s such a smart funny witty chic girl it kills me that I used to have a single son.
froggymom
found your blog yesterday and made your oatmeal cookie pancakes for Valentine’s Day dinner tonight with my mom’s vanilla syrup. Can I just say there’s no going back? AMAZING!
Lili
Just found your amazing blog a cpl days ago. And let me tell ya- I made that delicious roasted garlic ( first time I’ve tried making it myself). Oh and the smell is a-ma-zing
Ammie
Fairly new reader & was immediately smitten with your site. Your sandwich reminds me of the famed Grilled Cheese Truck here in LA. If you haven’t tried them yet, you really must!!! In fact, I think they are the best food truck in town. Delish!
joythebaker
i have not tried that truck. noted.
Kat @ Cupcake Kat
Fancy grilled cheese sandwiches are the best! So are bananas.
I love the picture of the sandwich and your cat. Cats do like olives, one of my friend’s cat drinks the olive juice that comes with canned olives!
Happy Valentine’s Joy!
Courtney
These look soooo good! I’ve got a log (great name, right?) of goat cheese in the fridge and can’t wait to smash it into a sandwich. And the banana dessert? Sounds like a lovely breakfast instead of oatmeal one of these days…
Meghan
Do I spy “The Chook” sparkling red wine (shiraz if I remember?). That stuff is AMAZING!!!!!
joythebaker
that stuff is a delicious problem.
Caroleenat
Joy, Great post! As my 15-year old says, Happy Artificial Holiday with Strong Commercial Overtones!
She made some from-scratch cream of mushroom soup for our dinner tonight & I just showed her this banana recipe. Guess what we’re trying soon? THANK YOU!
Kimberly
I just adore you! That may be weird, but I’m at peace with it. Happy Valentine’s Day! :)
Susie
srsly, best valentines/recipe description I have read in my life. “let’s make out” for the win. I am having my mom’s leftover pot-roast I have been saving in the freezer and for dessert, these oreo truffles i didnt finish making last night because I couldn’t be bothered to cover anymore things in chocolate in a cold house with the heater on the fritz.
Dinner awaits…Wonder years marathon, here I come…
Thanks for the delightful post. Have a wonderful un/fun Valentine’s Day!
Candice @ NotesFromABroad
This is SO up my alley … we have been eating sandwiches most of the time lately… too hot to cook.
I can manage grilling a sandwich though and definitely can manage baking a banana … lovely.
Happy Valentines !
chau, C
herheatherness
holy canoli! the banana is just genius!!! there is always a banana in the house, and of course always chocolate chips….i’m thinking marshmallows would be perfectly melty and gooey in there too!
abby
That’s how we used to make them at girl scout camp – chocolate chips and marshmallows. Deeeeelicious!
Rachel
oh man, I’d trade all my valentines treats and maybe even my valentine himself for your sandwich and dessert! They both hit on my favorite foods and flavors. There’s nothing like a good, fancy grilled cheese sandwich and the banana is brilliant! I don’t know why I’ve never done that with a banana before but I have clearly been missing out.
SarahD.
I spent my lunch break at work melting chocolate in the microwave and dipping strawberries in it, I’m giving them to my sweetie when he gets home. also a potato, because they grow things, just like our love, :P.
A Bowl Of Mush
The sandwich looks delicious and I want that banana dessert! Yum!
Hehe Cat looks so funny sniffing the olives :)
Tiffany
this will be my dinner thursday night after kids go to bed and husband leaves me alone so i can watch jersey shore. oh, man. can’t wait.
Sodium Girl
I love your photo collages (I guess they are not collages, more like well laid out images, but that takes too long to write). Do you use a specific program or do you have some fancy computer magic you can impart?
joythebaker
just phtotshop.
carolina
That dessert looks great, but as an argentinian girl I think the banana is screaming out for some dulce de leche!! You should try the combination banana and dulce de leche, it’s great!
Rita
I must make that banana!! I looks soooo good!
anna b.
I adore this post. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Amanda
Oh, Joy. You’re my new favorite. :) And my old favorite. This is now my lunch for today. I’m sure this comment will get lost in the sea of praises, but your writing style is fantastic.
joythebaker
no comment is lost! thank you thank you.
Ernestine
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Sonia
BANANA BOATS AWAYYYY! Oh this reminds me of a girl scout overnight, when we made those banana boats and they threw mine away for no apparent reason… I think I’ll have that for dessert tonight :)
Natalia - a side of simple
No sandwich says “love” to me like a grilled cheese :) Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mary
For dessert, I’m having Pecan Macadamia pie :)
Scarletta @ Scarletta Bakes
This melty sandwich and melty banana are melting my heart.
Ew. Sorry. Seriously, both look truly awesome. Thanks for sharing!!
Aimee Shugarman
Oh how I love grilled cheese sandwiches. I like to add some homemade pepper jelly to all grilled sandwiches.
Julie
Oh, Joy!!!
I bought a bottle of sweet, sparkling wine, rented “Valentine’s Day” and “City of Angels” — to cover all my bases. :) I can now be depressed or in fits of laughter as the mood dictates at 8pm tonight. I read your entry today and it made me smile and feel fuzzy…as well as gave me my dessert for one. :)
You’re the best!! Happy Valentine’s Day!
jen
Joy, I love ya like a fat kid loves cake. Happy Valentine’s Day!!! xo
Tiffany @ Conor & Bella
I’ve never had a baked banana-looks awesome!!
Melissa Lewis - Midwest Magnolia
Oh my gosh, I didn’t know anyone knew about those yummy grilled banana’s! I found a recipe for this in an old old cookbook and saved it cause it looked so fun and so yummy!
Tracy
oh that banana!!!!!!!! OMG YUM.
Happy V-day! <3 you sweetums!
amanda
I think that sounds like a perfect Valentine’s day! I love grilled cheese.
Kate
You are funny! Have you ever had a grilled cheese with brown sugar in it (sourdough+sharp cheddar+brown sugar)?? Sounds weird but hoolllyyyyy yum. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
michelle
Happy Valentine’s Day! I love the look of that sandwich and I’ve never thought of the baked banana thing. Cool! I love your blog. I just made your buttermilk choco chip pancakes for Valentine’s Day dinner. Good times.
Gen
Love the banana sandwich ^^Happy Valentine’s day to you!
Jennifer L.
I love that your cat is eating olives. :)
Mel
I’d like to say I’m going to make this sandwich for my valentine, but I’m all over making this for myself. When I get home from work. Before he does.
Then I’ll make him something else. :)
Ali @ Three Baking Sheets
Love love love
just love yourself like no one else
love, it’s enough
they can say what they like but they still can’t take that
And by “that”, The Sundays were referring to your baked banana nomminess.
The Food Hunter
What a great idea…I’ve got to try that banana. Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
laura @ alittlebarefoot
love the sandwich; love the dessert even more! happy valentine’s day, joy.
alexis
Joy. I heart your blog and I heart you. For realz. Oh, and I totally heart Stevens. I’m so glad he has you. Love from PDX!
Leah
LOVE the JOY in you! This sounds awesome. You are awesome!
Elizabeth
Not to sound silly, but thanks for the joy, Joy! Seriously, you reminded me that I can have joy for one today, that’s great!
Happy Heart Day! I heart your blog, your food, your pictures!
tsmom
And after this post I think I Love You!! Grilled chesse is my favorite thing and that banana oh that looks too good for words!
Melzor
Yay! I love making sandwiches with yummy cheese and various pig meats. I call them “fancy lady ham-n-cheeses.” I usually make mine with brie and prosciutto. But goat cheese is also highly adored.
PS- I really hope one of the names you listed of people you love is the name of your kitty.
Jessica
I’ve never heard of this banana concoction, but it looks like my fantasy dessert! I would love to see the finished product! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Kim M
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy!!!! Thank you for always putting a smile on my face with your fabulous recipes and posts. You are extraordinary.
Lisa
Lovely post. I want an olive!
Rachel
Your photos and writing always make me so happy! and every recipe of yours that I’ve tried has turned out really well :) Thanks for putting such great stuff out into the world! Happy Valentines Day!
Pattypro
I already loved you, but now that I know you like the soft french fries, too, I love you more! Everyone thinks I’m a freak because they’re my favs. (I am a freak, but the fries aren’t what make me one!)
The sandwich and the banana sound wonderful.
I wish you a day filled with more love than your <3 can hold.
Laura @FoodSnobSTL
Um, best sandwich ever. Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!
Kocinera
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! Hope you, your loved ones, and kitty cat have a wonderful day. With lots of olives. :D
Michelle
Now that is how to love yourself!
Morgan
BANANA BOAT!! My mum and I used to make these all the time, except we’d use the foil for the boat instead of the peel, chop up the banana, and after the chocolate melted, top it with marshmallows and broil it…and then eat it right next to the oven, directly off the foil, the very second it was cool enough not to torch our tongues.
Happy <3 day!
Susan (Oliepants)
Happy Valentines, Joy! I have to say the banana bake is going to have to be a must-try. I did it once for a recipe by itself but to eat it with toppings – well that’s just as good as ice cream!
Parsley Sage
Holy hot bananas that looks sinfully tasty! I’ll certainly be trying your goat cheese sammich. Yummy.
Calantha
My kitties go bananas (har har) for olives. Olives are the only human food that my cats go nuts for. It’s like catnip to them. Not sure why.
And that sandwich looks delicious!
jenny
happy valentine’s day, joy! I’m glad I’m not the only one who parks her bike in her living room. :)
those bananas look dreamy. it’s like the winter version of my favorite summer dessert: frozen bananas with chocolate & nuts. getting on this, stat.
thank you!
Jess
fancy sandwiches are the best valentine gift.
Amy
Happy Valentine’s day Joy! Sounds like a great way to spend the day! :)
Bettye
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s a beautiful day here, no snow, cold and sunshine but I can sure handle that!!!!!!!!!!
Love reading your column, seeing Kitty and most of all, the sweetness that you talk about your wonderful family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Oh, oh, forgot, and the best food blogger!!!!!!!!!!!
And the best pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the fantastic “smiles” you have put on my face and left there for the whole day!!!!!
Love
Bettye
JJ
There used to be a restaurant in Philadelphia called The Black Banana, and all their desserts featured some sort of baked banana confection. Maybe it was La Banane Noire. Sounds better in French anyway.
The Duo Dishes
Definitely want that sandwich for breakfast.
The Sugar Fairy - Amy
Joy… I’ve just discovered your blog and I’m in love with it!! Your writing makes me laugh and your photos make me drool! Keep doin’ what you do because you knock it out of the park each and every time! Oh, and have a Fantastic Valentine’s Day!! xo, Amy, The Sugar Fairy
Nikki
Both recipes look delicious, especially the spinach and grilled goat cheese and ham sandwich. Very unique way of eating a banana also!
Cathy
Many smiles…I’m so glad.
Lauren
we made those at summer camp too – we called them banana boats! i’ve never added coconut or peanuts – sounds niiiice! we did chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers. like a banana s’more. yum! happy v-day!
Jen G
Happy Valentine’s Day!!! I hope its a wonderful one :)
Kristen
Happy Valentine’s Day Joy! We impressed our friends with banana boats on the fire this summer – mmm…Have fun on your ladies’ day – maybe I’ll do that too!
Teresa
That banana boat reminds me of girl guide camp, particularly the one where we were (all 100 of us) going to use solar ovens to cook our entire meals. And then it rained. It took hours to get everyone fed after the leaders built a few campfires. I certainly appreciated that dessert when it was finally ready.
Diane
Your apartment looks bright and cozy. Makes me nostalgic for my first place. Great sandwich idea – Yum!
Holly Cook
I love the banana boat too. I think we had the JV campsite next to yours ’cause we didn’t use any coconut or salted peanuts with our chocolate. We used raisins. Super JV. Thanks for sharing your varsity secrets. I can’t wait to bump it up a notch. Happy V Day!
Shawn
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! Just thought you should know how much your blog always brightens my day. Thanks for helping me daydream about cupcakes and cookies during otherwise dull law school courses!
nicolette
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! The baked bananas are perfect- sweet and nostalgic.
Anne @ Baking Me
I remember making those treats when I was a kid in girl scouts, we called them banana boats.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
emma
your v-day sounds divine. i love love that banana idea. Have a great day!!!
Amanda (Eating Up)
Wait, that dessert is incredible and totally answers my question of what sweet dessert can I make with minimal ingredients in my pantry. You really do love us.
Ece
Hi from ?stanbul, Turkey :))) I discovered your blog from cafefernando and luckily i did. I saw and love your website. First i tried garlic (from your how to roast garlic recipes), then i put it on my roastet bread. Delicious…. And today, these two recipes should be made! First one for tomorrow to take it outside, and the second one is for tonight’s dessert. Such a good and creative dessert for Valentine’s Day
Courtney
We just made a different version of the fancy grilled cheese yesterday. Sometimes I just CRAVE the combination of buttery bread and gooey cheese. And the banana…so YUM! brings back great memories from summer camp. We always stuffed ours with chocolate and marshmallows but I love the addition of coconut. If only there were a way to add rum to the mix…
Shanna
You are freaking hysterical. I love this and all of your blog posts. Great photography too. Can’t wait to try out the baked banana. My banana loving 2 year old is going to be stoked. Although I might use less chocolate on hers. Just means more for mine. Ha. Have a great Valentines day Joy!! And thanks for having such a damn funny blog!!
Shanna
homegrown countrygirl
Wait. Stevens likes olives??? Awesome!
Rett
So, I am definitely going to make that banana. And the sandwich, but first the banana. And I hate coconut, but it sounds amazing. I think I’ll toast the coconut first, though.
Terri
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
And thank you for all the wonderful recipes, pictures & fun.
Enjoy today.
brianne
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy!
Stef
Happy Valentine’s Day to you Joy, this is Stef from Germany. Found your blog back just a few days ago and put it in my Google Reader, now I’m never gonna miss a post again. Keep up the good work, and lots of belly rubs for the lovely cute kitten :)
jen @ the baked life
that banana dessert looks amazing. And the sandwich too. Screw work, I wanna stay home and make that for myself and not share any with the husband.
Kristina Wright
Ummm, I thought my cat was the only cat that enjoys olives.
Abigail @ Good to Think and Eat
Oh my god. Your banana concoction looks so freakin fantastic! Enough of those velvety molten chocolate thingies or sugary sweet cupcakes, that banana is the last word in romance.
Jess
That sounds like my Valentine’s Day! Have a terrific one, Joy. :)
Diana
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! I love you and your delicious food and beautiful pictures! The banana idea is awesome, I am definitely trying that out ASAP.
:o)
charlotte s
hey joy! love you and your blog!
brandi@BranAppetit
My husband and I are currently obsessed with olives. We’re on a mission to find some that taste like the ones we had in Spain and we haven’t found them yet.
This sandwich (and banana) looks good enough to make me take a break from the olive quest.
love the kitty picture :)
Nicole @ the Dirty Oven
Wow! That sandwitch looks devine. I love the banana idea. Perfect little package of goodness. Happy Valentines day to you!
Terri A.
Sounds like my kind of Valentines day. Love the stuffed banana idea!
K and B
I love peanut butter and I love bananas, this looks great!!
K and B
Ps: I wanna taste that sandwich too!
carol
All I have to say is WOW, has that kitten grown! I believe he is thinking of batting one of those olives around the table for awhile.(At least that’s what my cat would do)!Cats are cool like that…they’ll play with anything.
Lauren
I must make that stuffed banana soon! Maybe with a spoonful of melty peanut butter on top ;).
Pattypro
Way to guild the lily!
Amy
I’ve also grilled the bananas with marshmallows and chocolate. I kinda forgot about them…… But I have no clue how. Yum and thanks for reminding me.
Rachel T.
You are such a trip! New follower here – you made me laugh right out loud through my snotty congested dry and red (but very festive for Valentine’s Day… and Christmas if I wanted to dress up like Rudolph) nose. Thank you very much for that! I even read your post out loud to fiance because I laughed so hard he needed to know why. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Holly B @ Recipes from a Normal Mum
Spinach, goat’s cheese and ham might just be the perfect V Day meal for me. I won’t be sharing it.
kate
I’ve never commented on your blog, but I love it! Thanks for so many fun ideas and for cracking my *$$ up first thing in the morning. Can’t wait to make that scrumptious banana!! happy valentine’s day :)
Mama Cissy
I LOVE that you are going to have such a beautiful day doing something for the very important person – and that would be YOU! Very cute post.
Suze
O-live you! hee hee! I’m bananas about…ok you get it. Never baked a banana. I’m so excited to do this!
Paulette
Yum! Happy Valentines Day Joy, eat lots of chocolate. Paulette
Gabrielle
Why couldn’t I of read this post just 30 minutes ago? I just had to go and eat that lonely banana in the kitchen, and now I can’t make me some baked banana. DANG NABBIT!
Claire
God, you’re funny. Happy Valentine’s Day! (:
pam
great valentine post Miss Joy! Happy Valentines and many more!
Katrina
Holy moley those bananas look good!!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
This sandwich looks awesome but the banana is such a great idea!! I hope you have a great day:-)
Yum Yum Tables
Mmmm, I may have to make this for my Hubby for lunch today…=)
Shushmi
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY lovely joy!
/hope that you are showered with love and chocolate and kitten kisses. :)
Jennifer
You are one talented lady. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Three-Cookies
Great post, all the best. Interest approach for making baked banana, banana, coconut and peanuts is a great combination.
laura
i’m totally serving that banana at a dinner party. it’s cute, facinating & oh, it’ll have them talking about it for weeks.
you just wait, this will be huge!
baked banana’s will be a hit. take my word!
Brieanne Elise
Dang. That looks so singles awareness day worthy.
Specially the olives.
Also, huge fan of the banana dessert! I have made similar, only with the addition or baileys.
What. Is. Up. Delish.
Much Love!
nileta
lovely post! you go girl :)
xx*
coffeeaddict
Oh gosh, you’re gonna have a lot of fun today I can see ;-)
Your cat is too too adorable for words! Figures a food lover like you would have a gourmet cat.
Mary
A big hi from mumbai, india.love your site and your style of writing. :D have a blessed day joy.
joythebaker
what’s up, india!? excellent.
Daria i Jarek
Nothing better than start your day like this!!! Absolutely simple and gorgeous sandwich and banana!!!! The cat is great too :)
Oh, wish you all your days like this and lots and lots of lovely people around you to make your days….
oh, by the way: We’re here first time so hope to come and visit you more often!!
D&J
Katy
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy! Maybe only dummies do it, but I’d happily throw my coat over a puddle if that banana were waiting for me on the other side! Thank you for sharing; looks like my Valentine’s Day breakfast has been decided. :)
Stacy
Happy Valentine’s Day, Joy!
Lisa
I am a fan of your website and this is another great post :-) Love the pictures and love the cat! :-D Will definitely try out the recipes especially with the bananas.
amanda
mmm banana boat. i love. also i love an Asher too- thats my little boys name! happy valentines day lady- keep makin good food and me laugh!!!
Nicola
That banana? Genius. GENIUS.
And the style of your writing (never mind your gorgeous photos and recipes) is just wonderful. You’ve got such great flow happening! It’s like we’re all sitting down having a chat with you in that sunny little spot around your coffee table. No distance!
Now excuse me while I go mess with my bananas….