I was preparing to write another travel post, but instead, I thought I would share a couple of my most recent successes I have had with recipes.
My mom is always my recipe go to for when I have friends over, I can’t remember how long to microwave a potato (Mom, it’s been a long time, I figured that out), or just what to use to substitute when I am not sure. If you have someone that has beautiful cursive (doesn't have to be calligraphy) and they love to cook ask them for their recipes. You can never go wrong asking someone who loves to cook for some favorites and who doesn't love a handwritten gift that's come from the heart?
Loving some ‘Nana’s and Bourbon right now!
If you try these let me know what you think!
Banana Pudding:
Magnolia Bakery’s (yes, the one in NYC) Banana Pudding. It. Is. Amazing. I did use the new Jell-O Simply Good Vanilla Bean pudding and I used the lower fat version of sweetened condensed milk. I also used mini Nilla wafers so I could put them into mini trifle bowls for individual desserts. It was still delicious and addictive. I highly recommend if you are like me and just like to cook for the sake of cooking, save some for yourself and give the rest to coworkers or friends. Definitely pay attention to the times. Let the water, Jell-O and milk sit in the fridge for 4 hours and once it is ready, be patient after you prepare the rest of the recipe. FOLD the pudding mix into your whipped cream. Once the whole she-bang is assembled LET IT sit in the fridge for the time in the recipe. It comes out just like Magnolia. Thanks to the Girl Who Ate Everything. This is the closest recipe I have tried that is exactly like Magnolia's without the expensive dry ice shipping of pudding! http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2016/05/magnolia-bakerys-famous-banana-pudding.html
Hummingbird Cake:
I will say it’s the south in a cake. I think this was invented by Southern Gods and Jamaica. Pineapple. 'Nanas. Cream. Sweet. Fruity. It was Southern Living’s most requested recipe in the magazine's history. The cake typically has two or three layers with pecans (or walnuts), mashed bananas, crushed pineapple and cream cheese frosting.
Make the best of your bananas part two and try the hummingbird cake. If you haven’t had the orginial do that first and go with the variations. You can’t go wrong.
http://www.southernliving.com/food/entertaining/hummingbird-cake#hummingbird-cake-recipe_2
Bourbon Slush:
A make ahead potent cocktail. Make sure you supply your guests with some appetizers or you will have some guests spending the night at your house. See the recipe at the top of the blog. Brought to you from the Corpus Christi E2C Hawkeye Squadron. Yes, this is from when I lived in Texas, and back when the military spouses typed all the recipes on a typewriter.
Tips for the slush:
Use 1 1/2 c. of bourbon. Any kind will do. Also use the entire 6 oz. can of lemonade concentrate. I used Earl Grey tea bags from Harney and Sons. You really want a strong black tea for this one. Prepare the recipe and pour it into a gallon size ziploc for easier freezing. You can lay it flat in the freezer. Be wary when serving these in double old fashioned glasses, as my husband did. Also, if you like a bourbon floater on the top, now is the time to add it just prior to serving. You can always adjust accordingly to make it stronger or lighter.
My mom is always my recipe go to for when I have friends over, I can’t remember how long to microwave a potato (Mom, it’s been a long time, I figured that out), or just what to use to substitute when I am not sure. If you have someone that has beautiful cursive (doesn't have to be calligraphy) and they love to cook ask them for their recipes. You can never go wrong asking someone who loves to cook for some favorites and who doesn't love a handwritten gift that's come from the heart?
Loving some ‘Nana’s and Bourbon right now!
If you try these let me know what you think!
Banana Pudding:
Magnolia Bakery’s (yes, the one in NYC) Banana Pudding. It. Is. Amazing. I did use the new Jell-O Simply Good Vanilla Bean pudding and I used the lower fat version of sweetened condensed milk. I also used mini Nilla wafers so I could put them into mini trifle bowls for individual desserts. It was still delicious and addictive. I highly recommend if you are like me and just like to cook for the sake of cooking, save some for yourself and give the rest to coworkers or friends. Definitely pay attention to the times. Let the water, Jell-O and milk sit in the fridge for 4 hours and once it is ready, be patient after you prepare the rest of the recipe. FOLD the pudding mix into your whipped cream. Once the whole she-bang is assembled LET IT sit in the fridge for the time in the recipe. It comes out just like Magnolia. Thanks to the Girl Who Ate Everything. This is the closest recipe I have tried that is exactly like Magnolia's without the expensive dry ice shipping of pudding! http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2016/05/magnolia-bakerys-famous-banana-pudding.html
Hummingbird Cake:
I will say it’s the south in a cake. I think this was invented by Southern Gods and Jamaica. Pineapple. 'Nanas. Cream. Sweet. Fruity. It was Southern Living’s most requested recipe in the magazine's history. The cake typically has two or three layers with pecans (or walnuts), mashed bananas, crushed pineapple and cream cheese frosting.
Make the best of your bananas part two and try the hummingbird cake. If you haven’t had the orginial do that first and go with the variations. You can’t go wrong.
http://www.southernliving.com/food/entertaining/hummingbird-cake#hummingbird-cake-recipe_2
Bourbon Slush:
A make ahead potent cocktail. Make sure you supply your guests with some appetizers or you will have some guests spending the night at your house. See the recipe at the top of the blog. Brought to you from the Corpus Christi E2C Hawkeye Squadron. Yes, this is from when I lived in Texas, and back when the military spouses typed all the recipes on a typewriter.
Tips for the slush:
Use 1 1/2 c. of bourbon. Any kind will do. Also use the entire 6 oz. can of lemonade concentrate. I used Earl Grey tea bags from Harney and Sons. You really want a strong black tea for this one. Prepare the recipe and pour it into a gallon size ziploc for easier freezing. You can lay it flat in the freezer. Be wary when serving these in double old fashioned glasses, as my husband did. Also, if you like a bourbon floater on the top, now is the time to add it just prior to serving. You can always adjust accordingly to make it stronger or lighter.