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!!!

USA, USA, USA!!!

Happy Independence Day everybody!!! Are you having a fourth of July get together or going to one or just want to celebrate with your family or not doing anything at all but want something to help make you feel patriotic? Then this is the perfect dessert for you! An Independence Day Trifle.

This can be made rather quickly the night before or the day of or the day after, if you forgot it was in the middle of the week this year. Grab your favorite brand of vanilla pudding and make some! I'd say about two packages worth. Let the pudding set over night and become nice and firm. Once the pudding has set, prepare your beautiful trifle dish, that you may have used once in your life, by putting a layer of pound cake fingers on the bottom. Top those with a layer of pudding and then a layer of sliced strawberries. On top of the strawberries you are going to put a small layer of pudding and then more fingers and then more pudding and strawberries. Repeat this process until you are about an inch from the top.

For the topping you will want to put a layer of whipped cream. Cool Whip would work, but making your own is so much better and very June Cleaver of you! To make your own combine 2 cups of heavy whipping cream with half a cup of white sugar. Beat the mixture until the cream forms stiff peaks. However, don't beat it too much or the cream will start to separate and you will have a watery mess that is not pleasant.

Top the last layer with the whipped cream. This should fill the trifle dish or even go slightly higher than the edge of the dish. On top of the whipped cream take blueberries and place them along the top. You can do fun designs here like putting circles or stars or chevron stripes across the top. Once the trifle is done, place it in the fridge for a few hours to fully chill and stiffen up.

Serve after delicious hot dogs and hamburgers have been consumed with your favorite beer. Happy 'Murica Day!!!

What you need

2 Packages Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

Sliced Strawberries

Blueberries

Heavy Whipping Cream

Sugar

Pound Cake Fingers