Quinoa Pilaf with Shrimp

You know how some people just don't "do" breakfast? How some people get a latte and pretend it's enough to last them until...who knows when?

Well, I love my morning cup of Joe, but I'm a definite breakfast girl. So when I didn't have a chance to eat until around two in the afternoon, I was starving. And in need of a stellar meal.

And so I found quinoa.

Sunday Afternoon Banana Bread

I am convinced Sunday is the kind of day when you need something comforting to brace you for the week ahead. It's the last day when you can pretend that the weekend is here. It's the day when you can no longer ignore the mountain of work that's all miraculously due on Monday morning at eight o'clock. It's too late to ask the professors for an extended deadline. There's no dog to take the blame.

Obviously you need to bake banana bread.

You can't go wrong with banana bread. Brown, overripe, ugly bananas are transformed into a beautiful crown of a loaf. Nuts, chocolate, and other fruits are incorporated at the baker's preference. The house gets filled with the baking aroma of banana and cinnamon. It's super easy to prepare, and super delicious hot off the oven.

Banana bread is also a miracle food that tastes even better the next day. So...Monday morning breakfast, anyone?

Hello!

Welcome to The Pretty Apple, my first baking/cooking blog!

After years of kitchen mishaps and fond memories, I have finally decided to bring my culinary shenanigans to the internet. I am beyond excited to start what will hopefully be an awesome long-term project for the years ahead. Thank you to all of my dear friends and family who ate my food, survived, and encouraged me to create this blog. You guys are swell.  :)

To friendly strangers, acquaintances, visitors, prince charming, long-lost-but-now-found relatives, a big "hello" and a hearty "nicetomeetyou."

Here's to yummy foods!