Mama's Legacy

Happy mothers day! Today is a special day because I am sharing a guest post from my mother. My mom is the reason why I am who I am today. She always inspired me to be strong and independent, to love myself and my neighbor, and to enjoy life one bite at a time! If it wasn't for her putting me up to the stove by the time I was five, I would have none of the culinary skills I have today. If there is one person that has inspired my life the most, it is her. 

She was inspired by the women in her family before her and I can only imagine how far back the love of cooking goes. I can remember as a kid, being in my Great Grandma's house with her cooking something, always. Unless she was spanking me for pushing her life alert button.... but that's besides the point. For snippets of inspiration from her, you can follow her on Twitter here! Please enjoy her post below, it features the one dessert I ask for the most!

So, I’m Barb, Caleb’s mom.  I guess I have to take credit for Caleb’s love of food and love of cooking.  When my kids were younger, back in the 90’s, we weren’t so concerned with “healthy” foods.  Most things were processed, it was fast, it was convenient.  So unfortunately, that’s what my kids grew up on.  So I guess all that to say, if Caleb asks me to guest blog one of his favorites that mom makes, it’s not gonna be healthy!! (Please note, I am a clean, healthy cook now!)

So back around 1989, we moved to Lawrence, KS.  Caleb was but a twinkle in my eye – or possibly a flutter in my belly at that time.  We attended a small church at the time – you know the kind, great pot luck meals for 50 people with enough food to feed 300!! But, that is when I had my first taste of the most incredible banana pudding!! I couldn’t get enough of it! But, one problem…..I didn’t know all the ingredients.  But, with a little begging and pleading, I convinced my friend to give it up, and my pallet (and waistline) haven’t been the same since!  So here it comes…..it’s not your everyday banana pudding……there is a secret ingredient…..shhhhh…..

Ready for it??? Sweetened condensed milk!  Oh the joy!  Oh the creaminess! Oh the sweetness! I tell ya, it’s the deal breaker. It’s the reason from now through the end of your life people will be asking YOU to bring that banana pudding to the potluck.  And when you don’t….oh, they’ll let you know about it!  Trust me!


So here it is! The complete recipe that will forever change your life…..

Ingredients:

1 large box vanilla pudding (don’t skimp…get the name brand people!)

Milk

1 large size tub of Cool Whip (again don’t skimp! And don’t get fat free!!!)

3 or 4 large bananas

Nilla wafers (come on people, do I have to say it again?? Don’t skimp!!)

I like to construct mine in a trifle dish – it’s just so pretty.  But if you don’t have one just about any dish will do, just so it’s at least 4 inches deep.

1. Mix up the vanilla pudding and milk as directed on the package
2. Remove 2 cups of the Cool Whip – set aside
3. Mix in the remaining cool whip to the pudding
4. Crush up enough Nilla wafers to cover the bottom of the dish
5. Cut up 1 or 2 bananas on top of the wafers (all depends on how bananaey you like it)
6. Pour ½ of the pudding mixture over the bananas
7. Repeat steps 4-6 creating a nice layering presentation
8. Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top of the layers
9. Now make it pretty – I like to put the wafers all around the outside, standing up. Then make your own creation in the middle
10. Let it set up in the fridge for at least 2 hours

Prepare for taste bud explosion!!!