"These are not scones, nor can you taste the banana. The texture is closer to that of muffins, and a banana muffin recipe I have, which results in true banana flavor, is based on the same amount of dry ingredients, 1-1/2 cups, but calls for 3 small bananas, not just one as this recipe does. I didn't have the cinnamon chips, so I suspect they must ha..."

"This soup was the biggest hit out of everything served at a large 2010 family Christmas feast, and surprisingly every bit as appealing & as satisfying as Wolfgang Puck's much more elaborate version, which has about 4 different garnishes & more spices (one you almost have to go to India to find). It helped to cook the vegetables with about half the stock before blending in a food processor, adding the rest of the liquid and reheating after blending. I also added a large can of fat free evaporated milk in place of some of the chicken stock, adjusting for thickness, as Giada had added some Half & Half in the TV version. I had to leave out the crostini for dieters in the family, but offered an optional garnish of whole pecans. However, I made the crostini for myself and loved it -- had never tried olive oil in place of butter nor Fontina cheese before, both delicious!"

"This soup was the biggest hit out of everything served at a large 2010 family Christmas feast, and surprisingly every bit as appealing & as satisfying as Wolfgang Puck's much more elaborate version, which has about 4 different garnishes & more spices (one you almost have to go to India to find). It helped to cook the vegetables with about half the stock before blending in a food processor, adding the rest of the liquid and reheating after blending. I also added a large can of fat free evaporated milk in place of some of the chicken stock, adjusting for thickness, as Giada had added some Half & Half in the TV version. I had to leave out the crostini for dieters in the family, but offered an optional garnish of whole pecans. However, I made the crostini for myself and loved it -- had never tried olive oil in place of butter nor Fontina cheese before, both delicious!"