In case you were wondering what I literally just whipped up for tonight's dessert, here it is! Will update this post in a second. Off to make more whip cream (using...for the first time ever...my Granny's vintage KitchenAid). Because you can never have too much white fluffy dairy fat whipped up into something edible. Right, right!
Southern Banana Pudding
serves 6-8 (depending on how greedy)
1 and 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup condensed milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
50 vanilla wafers
2 large bananas, cut into ¼-inch slices
¾ cup heavy cream, chilled
¼ cup powdered sugar
Method:
Prepare a casserole dish (anything above one quart will do, and non-stick cooking spray is optional).
In a medium sauce pan briskly whisk together the milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, egg, and egg yolk. Once well combined place the pan over low to medium heat, being sure to continuously whisk (helps to avoid clumps and eggs cooking) until thick and bubbling.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter and vanilla extract; whisking until completely melted. Pour the custard through a strainer into a separate bowl (just as a last measure to remove any cooked eggs and clumps, trust me, I just learned this and its a hell of a baking tip) then cover with plastic wrap to cool briefly in the fridge.
In the prepared casserole dish begin your layering. Some people prefer bananas first, I start with place of the vanilla wafer cookies to act as a crust like any pie would, then top with a layer of the sliced bananas. Pour over 1/4 of the custard and spread to the edges. Repeat this process three more times then top the last layer of custard with a layer of vanilla wafers. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least four hours.
Whip the heavy cream with the vanilla and the powdered sugar until it reaches soft peaks. Spread the whipped cream over the chilled pudding. Top with crushed vanilla wafer cookies if you like.
Presentation:
Also new is my handy dandy presentation step, because let's face it, we all love Nigella Lawson (if you don't..here's the door) and she was right, we need to learn not just how to cook, but how to eat. Baking for yourself and others is just as indulgent and satisfying as plating up a playful dish that could make Pierre Herme quiver.
For banana pudding, there are so many options you can try. I simply walked around Granny's house and saw a myriad of options including layering in mason jars (couldn't use hers because she is old school and bought the ones with the corny fruits emblazoned on them) or using cocktail glassware (anything from flutes to tumblers) that are chilled for a cool frosty look as seen above. What are some of your presentation ideas for pudding!?
photo here
THE VERDICT:
well its a four hour wait, so will have to get back to you on this...please forgive me! (oh but I can tell you the homemade whip cream is heaven on a spatula stick, and don't let anyone tell you different)
WHAT I LEARNED:
this is new, but along with my "verdict" endings, I want to introduce a learning ending as well, because as a beginner baker hoping to make it pro, it only makes sense that I document my tricks of the trades, and hopefully in the sharing process, others can save time and money too! so today, while making this exquisite little southern treat, I actually learned a few new things even after having made this dessert at least a dozen times. for one, instant boxed pudding is completely unnecessary. i hope you at least try this recipe once to see for yourself. second, i alwaysss used to get cooked eggs in my batter. yuck. it was such a nightmare, that sometimes I even had to start over. well whisk the darn ingredients together first before going stove top, duh! lastly, whilst making the whip cream in my handy dandy (ok it is Granny's) KitchenAid, I realized low-medium speed gets you whip cream the texture of ReadyWhip found at supermarkets, while medium-high speed gets a supremely rich and dense creamy texture that is great for the cream needed to fold into the custard (a la Magnolias Bakery in NYC). so there ya go!
Boy what a lovely day I had today. Why do I always feel so lonely back in New York City? It only takes one day with family in their huge house atop a giant hill over a good bbq to realize you are never really lonely. Everyone has someone. So cheer up lad and ladettes (is that a word?). Always remember someone, somewhere, is thinking about you and you alone. On that note, I have to share a review of my latest read, Table Style by Liz Belton photographed by Debi Treloar. I am in love with all of Ryland Peters & Small's books and hope to one day own a little book company just like them. But more on that later. Table Style reminds me of all the joys entertaining brings people. The good company of friends or family, the satisfaction of creating concepts, the indulgence of a well planned (or even accidental) menu and the heavenly beauty sleep you fall into after its all done. I mean really, isn't that what life is all about? So the next time you see a pretty little decor book perched on a shelf, don't just leave it be, take it home and let it inspire you beyond just the kitchen and craft shop. Food, decor and entertaining books bring about memories you otherwise wouldn't think of, persuade you to call up on people you might have forgotten, or even give you a good enough excuse to throw a get together that otherwise would seem daunting. And Table Style did just that. One of my absolute favorite pages was the 'picnic in the park' feature complete with a makeshift tent made of branches and gauze under the cascading leaves of a weeping tree and romantic lunch for two. I immediately sprung up from my chair and ran to the basement, certain I would find a vintage picnic basket in Granny's hoarding collection (yeah I said it) and sure enough I did! So look out for a super sweet picnic photo shoot for this blog exclusively next week.
A few other enchanted ideas included a flower fountain (tea roses on an eggholder anyone?) perfect for a bridal shower or sister's birthday brunch, as well as weekend breakfast settings using collected patterned tiles as coasters (nothing a simple trip to the thrift shop wouldn't serve up) and yogurt in mason jars next to fresh cut garden blooms. How refreshing would that be the next time you had a book club meeting, right, right! So go on. Head to your local shop and pick up a copy. Snuggle up tomorrow on your favorite worn in cushion and see what little party you can plan next. And remember, you never really need a reason to celebrate...
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
