Banana everything blondies and things to do in Portland

Yay! first post in... forever! Sorry guys... grad school is intense. Actually, my life's been pretty intense in the last two months. I don't know how, but way more things that I could think of, happened in the last two months. I know, you're curious...

Let's see... I started grad school which means teaching and a bunch of classes. I met about 20 new people from my department, plus about another 20 new people from outside of school. I made friends with some of those people. In fact, some of those people are a fundamental part of my mental survival these days.

With those new friends, I've seen a good amount of bars and coffee places in Portland that I highly recommend. Let's see... right next to school there's Momo's, which has a great patio with picnic tables. Now that it's cold, they have heaters so you can enjoy your drinks and not freeze outside. For a great sports watching experience, a.k.a seeing the Giants win the world series, Claudia's Sports Pub & Grill. Giant screen and great food. If you want even more awesome food, or the best wings in Portland plus dirty, unhealthy but extremely yummy fried oreos, Fire on the Mountain is the place to go (check out their site, it's mad cool!). If after lots of wings and beer, you're hangover and need a coffee, Little t american baker is waiting for you. They even make those cute foam shapes on your cappuccino.

Besides eating and drinking, there's been other activities. My friends convinced me to start hulahooping. I know, sounds like kids games, but it's extremely fun! Add to it the city sport in Portland, or what could be it. Frisbee. Ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf? make your pick! I'm all for frisbee golf at McIver state park which is a beautiful place to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning, even if you don't 'folf'. On the way there, you're gonna want to stop at Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Store, that's right, it's the true Bob's Red Mill and it's located right outside the city. (In fact we're pretty positive we saw Bob himself!). And not only is there a factory but also a great restaurant. I highly recommend their biscuits and gravy or their grits. Which are two things I discovered this last two months as well!

So I made friends and we went places. I also liked someone, dated that someone for a while and it didn't work out. But that's life and it just keeps rolling. So last weekend I got together with some of my buddies and made these blondies. They are sort of an accident. While I was completely positive I'd bought chocolate chips, I was greatly surprised when I opened the bag and saw they were in fact butterscotch chips. So my originally intended banana bread for my friend Joe, turned into bananas + butterscotch and why not some of the leftover coconut milk I was using for my curry. To top it off, some peanut butter swirl on top. Done and done! and delicious! 

So, what have you guys done lately? and most importantly, what have you baked? 

The everything blondies

2 very ripe bananas mashed

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup coconut milk

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup butterscotch chips

About 3 tablespoons peanut butter for the swirl

Preheat your oven at 350 F

In a bowl, beat together the melted butter and the sugar. Add the banana and mix until creamy and then stir in the coconut milk and the egg. Mix the flour until just combined and add the butterscotch chips. Pour the batter in a greased large baking pan (13 x 9 in) and flatten it up with a spatula. Add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter on top and swirl with a knife. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Wait until the blondies are cooled down to cut them.