Those celebrities

have so many things handed to them on a plate. Often success and a wealth of opportunities to do interesting things just drop at their feet. Normally this doesn't particularly bother me, as I have never hankered after fame or notoriety, and I value my privacy more than I could value millions of dollars. It's the opportunities that get me. One such opportunity is that to publish a cookery book.

Many of us could conjure up some tried and tested recipes to put in a cookery book, but most of us will never get the opportunity to do so. And yet all variety of people are doing just that: beauty editors, style section divas and, most recently, the once plus sized model Sophie Dahl.

And I have to admit, I thought: 'what's she going to know about cookery?'. Already I think that cookery books by the likes of Nigella Lawson contain too many photos of the author. So I expected a self indulgent and rather average book when I ordered it from Amazon (only because it was 60% off and could go back if I didn't like it). But, as is often the case, I was proven wrong.

You see, on Sunday I had a conversation with my friend Miriam. 'Miri, I need a quick easy cake to make because I'm lazy and late'.

'Well, I made this great recipe, and it's from a cut-out from the paper, because I would neeeeveeeer actually buy this book'... and Miri proceeds to tell me about Dahl's book and the banana loaf recipe that she loved. I exclaim that I have it, and try the recipe.

It is the EASIEST recipe in the world. And the best. And it used up my nearly-stale bananas. Seriously, this is a beautiful book, well written, with plenty of recipes that you actually want to make. On the whole healthy, but yummy food, like mushroom risotto and saffron fish.

Here's the recipe for banana loaf. You're supposed to toast it but I haven't. You can bet I'll be having some for breakfast! I have made two loaves in 3 days. Unprecedented success. Mmmm!

Recipe

1 1/2 cups flour

4 ripe mashed bananas

1 tbs baking powder/bicarb

1 egg, beaten

1 cup brown sugar

pinch of salt 

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180C/Gas4. Grease a 30x23c,/12x1 inch loaf tin

Pour mashed bananas into a big mixing bowl. Mix in butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract. Add bicarb/baking soda and salt and mix in flour last. Pour into prepared tin bake for one hour, remove and cool. Toast slices and spread a little butter... mmm. I think chocolate chips would be a great addition, too!