Bananan Cream Pie (0 Star)

Aaaahhh, banana cream pie--what a lovely thing! It is so hard to see these pictures and write about this when it is gone. I have banana cream pie hunger pangs.



This banana cream pie is the real deal. No boxed puddings here. If you had to eat banana cream pie made from boxed pudding with cool whip on top for Thanksgiving, I feel really sorry for you. (Yes, I am a banana cream pie snob.)



This recipe is from my paternal grandmother's file. I'm going to title it after her because that's what it has always been called to me.

Virginia's Banana Cream Pie
(makes one 9-9.5 inch pie)

1 pre-cooked 9-9.5 inch pie shell

2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Tablespoons flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
3 egg yolks (well beaten)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 bananas
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar (or to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a medium saucepan, place the first four ingredients and whisk them together with a wire whisk. Add 1 cup of the milk and whisk until smooth. Add the remaining milk and the egg yolks and whisk again. Place the pan on a hot plate and turn the heat up to medium. (Being impatient, I usually start the heat on high until I begin to see a little steam coming from the milk and then I turn down the heat to medium. But you have to be careful not to scorch the milk.) Heat the pudding, whisking constantly, until it is very thick. You can heat it to boiling but it isn't necessary, as long as it has thickened sufficiently. It should be thick enough that it is not so easy to whisk. Remove the pan from the heat and add the vanilla. Stir it in until smooth.

Peel the bananas and slice them into the pie shell. Pour the pudding on top and allow to cool. Cover with plastic and place in the refrigerator until completely cold.

When the pudding is cold, whip the cream, powdered sugar (to taste), and vanilla until fluffy. I don't like it too stiff, but just barely getting stiff. Then spread it over the top of the pudding and chill until ready to serve.

If you are wondering, none of the boys care much for this except for eating the whipped cream off the top. Where did they come from?

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (3 Star)

This is my new favorite thing to make with overripe bananas. Funny thing is, my kids (especially the more picky ones), do not like bananas in baked goods and are not that crazy about peanut butter, either. However, this bread was a huge hit with my pickiest son. He almost refused to try it, but lucky for him, he did try (after several threats and pleadings). Strangely enough, my least picky boy didn't like this that much. Brandon and I love it. Banana, peanut butter, and chocolate is a tasty combination. And as far as quick breads go, this one is on the healthy side of the spectrum.





Click here for the recipe, courtesy of One Hot Stove blog.