Category: MISC

BLACK BOTTOM BANANA CREAM PIE

BLACK BOTTOM BANANA CREAM PIE

PURE HEAVEN – A cloud of whipped cream layered over a rich rum custard, bananas and a chocolate-covered shortbread crust. SORRY NO PICTURES OF IT SLICED YET, BUT JUST KNOW THAT IT IS DELICIOUS LAYERS OF PURE HEAVEN!

8 servings  
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Chilling: minimum 30 minutes

9-10″ deep dish pie plate sprayed with PURE – I like to use my Pyrex french white tart pan
4-8 Tablespoons butter
2-3 cups crushed gingersnaps and vanilla wafers mix (you decide which flavor you prefer)
1 regular size cool whip*
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1 1/2 cups cold whole milk
1-5.1 ounce Jell-O Cheesecake flavored instant pudding
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
2 bananas
1 small baskets raspberries

  • Melt butter and mix into cookie crumbs. Push into bottom of pie plate firmly.
  • Melt 6 ounces of the chocolate chips and mix together with 1/3 of the cool whip until well mixed and smooth (microwave about 45 seconds, but you could use double boiler if you prefer melting the chocolate first and then adding cool whip). Spread on top of crumb crust.
  • Slice bananas and layer over chocolate layer saving a few for garnish if you like. If you save a few for garnish, be sure to douse them with lemon juice to prevent browning.
  • Mix together milk, rum extract and pudding mix. Whisk together until smooth and thick. Fold in 1/3 of the cool whip. Spoon over top of chocolate mixture.
  • Melt the other 6 ounces of chocolate chips and mix together with 1/3 of the cool whip until well mixed and smooth. Spread over pudding layer.
  • Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Just before serving garnish with cool whip, banana slices and raspberries. For a more decadent looking dessert add a few pieces of shaved chocolate.

*When I first take the cool whip from the freezer I slice it into thirds pie style to make it easier to work with. 

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes (5.3 oz. each) all-butter shortbread cookies broken
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, 3 tbsp. melted and 2 tbsp. cold
  • 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% to 70% cacao), in 3 hunks
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon amber rum
  • 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large bananas
  • 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Directions

  1. Using a food processor, mix the shortbread with a pinch salt; process in long pulses until finely ground and beginning to stick to the sides. Add the melted butter and pulse just until incorporated. Transfer the crumbs to a 9-inch pie plate and press evenly into the bottom and up the sides. Freeze the pie shell.
  2. Place 2 oz. chocolate in a small bowl and set aside. In a heavy saucepan, whisk together the milk, granulated sugar, cornstarch and remaining salt. Whisk in the egg yolks over medium-high heat until the custard boils and is very thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, measure out 1/2 cup of the hot custard and add to the bowl of chocolate; let sit for a minute (the chocolate will melt by itself). Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 2 tbsp. (cold) butter into the custard in the saucepan. Stir in the rum and transfer the rum custard to a heatproof bowl. Refrigerate until well chilled, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours.
  3. Meanwhile, stir the chocolate custard, then stir in 1 tbsp. cream and the vanilla. Remove the pie shell from the freezer and spread the chocolate custard across the bottom. Refrigerate to firm up.
  4. Working over the pie shell, cut the bananas into 1/4-inch thick slices, letting them fall to cover the bottom. Spoon the rum custard over the bananas, smoothing the top. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set.
  5. Whip the remaining cream with the confectioners sugar until it forms soft peaks. Spread on top of the rum custard and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or until serving time.
  6. Just before serving, using a vegetable peeler, shave curls off the remaining 1 oz. chocolate onto the top of the pie.

31 DAYERS #7

 

Now while I do not normally get political over here, I will say this.  I believe that in today’s world we are never given both sides of the story and we need to open our minds and do the research before making any decisions.
 
Do not fear the enemy, for they can take only your life.
Fear the media, for they will distort your grasp of reality and destroy your honor.
~unknown origin

31 DAYS OF INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES CATCH UP POST

 

  • It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. ~Aristotle Onassis 
  • Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.  ~Joseph Campbell
  • The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.  ~ Helen Keller  
  • Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! ~Audrey Hepburn 
  • We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. ~Ronald Reagan 
  • Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

2012 – 31 DAYERS

I found this over at Seaside Simplicity and know it’s just what I need to get me moving in the right direction.  So I’m joining up with a month long blogging challenge.  I get my best inspiration from a good challenge.
 
I too am few days late but I’m jumping in anyway. You too can still sign up to participate if you are interested. You might just want to head over to pick up some motivation, inspiration or meet some new fellow bloggers.  
I’m committing to posting 31 days inspirational quotes.  Hope you will play along too!

BAKED EGG BOATS

BAKED EGG BOATS
1 (13.2 oz) Pillsbury Simply Rustic French Bread, sliced in half, crosswise
2-4 slices bacon
2 JUMBO eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 slices Havarti cheese
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar
2 scallions, finely sliced
1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Place bread halves on a lightly greased baking sheet. Slide into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. 
  • While these bake, dice the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. 
  • Remove loaves from oven and slice a long hole in the middle of them, lengthwise. Pull out some of the dough filling inside each loaf, creating little boats. 
  • Lay the slice of Havarti inside the cavity, creasing it into the edges to make a deep hole.
  • Whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until well blended. 
  • Add the bacon, cheese, scallions, a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Pour the filling into each loaf boat and top with grated cheddar.
  • Bake an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until set in the center and golden brown.
  • Serve immediately!

BEST DIVORCE LETTER EVER

I found this on my SIL’s facebook page and am still LMAO.  I hope you enjoy it too.

Dear Wife,
I’m writing you this letter to tell you that I’m leaving you forever. I’ve been a good man to you for 7 years & I have nothing to show for it. These last 2 weeks have been hell. … Your boss called to tell me that you quit your job today & that was the last straw. Last week, you came home & didn’t even notice I had a new haircut, had cooked your favorite meal & even wore a brand new pair of silk boxers. You ate in 2 minutes, & went straight to sleep after watching all of your soaps. You don’t tell me you love me anymore; you don’t want sex or anything that connects us as husband & wife. Either you’re cheating on me or you don’t love me anymore; whatever the case, I’m gone.

Your EX-Husband

P.S. don’t try to find me. Your SISTER & I are moving away to West Virginia together! Have a great life!

Dear Ex-Husband
Nothing has made my day more than receiving your letter. It’s true you & I have been married for 7 years, although a good man is a far cry from what you’ve been. I watch my soaps so much because they drown out your constant whining & griping Too bad that doesn’t work. I DID notice when you got a hair cut last week, but the 1st thing that came to mind was ‘You look just like a girl!’ Since my mother raised me not to say anything if you can’t say something nice, I didn’t comment. And when you cooked my favorite meal, you must have gotten me confused with MY SISTER, because I stopped eating pork 7 years ago. About those new silk boxers: I turned away from you because the $49.99 price tag was still on them, & I prayed it was a coincidence that my sister had just borrowed $50 from me that morning. After all of this, I still loved you & felt we could work it out. So when I hit the lotto for 10 million dollars, I quit my job & bought us 2 tickets to Jamaica But when I got home you were gone.. Everything happens for a reason, I guess. I hope you have the fulfilling life you always wanted. My lawyer said that the letter you wrote ensures you won’t get a dime from me. So take care.

Signed, Your Ex-Wife, Rich As Hell & Free!

P.S. I don’t know if I ever told you this, but my sister Carla was born Carl. I hope that’s not a problem.

CITRUS SUMMER SALAD DRESSING

SWEET & SOUR DRESSING
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup peanut oil

  • Blend all ingredients except the oils until smooth and well mixed.
  • Slowly add the olive and vegetable oils until well blended.
  • Toss with salad.
  • Store remaining dressing in the refrigerator.

BAKED EGG BOATS

BAKED EGG BOATS
1 (13.2 oz) Pillsbury Simply Rustic French Bread, sliced in half, crosswise
2-4 slices bacon
2 JUMBO eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 slices Havarti cheese
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar
2 scallions, finely sliced
1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Place bread halves on a lightly greased baking sheet. Slide into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. 
  • While these bake, dice the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on paper towels. 
  • Remove loaves from oven and slice a long hole in the middle of them, lengthwise. Pull out some of the dough filling inside each loaf, creating little boats. 
  • Lay the slice of Havarti inside the cavity, creasing it into the edges to make a deep hole.
  • Whisk together the eggs and heavy cream until well blended. 
  • Add the bacon, cheese, scallions, a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Pour the filling into each loaf boat and top with grated cheddar.
  • Bake an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until set in the center and golden brown.
  • Serve immediately!

CITRUS SUMMER SALAD DRESSING

SWEET & SOUR DRESSING
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup peanut oil

  • Blend all ingredients except the oils until smooth and well mixed.
  • Slowly add the olive and vegetable oils until well blended.
  • Toss with salad.
  • Store remaining dressing in the refrigerator.

♥

AN EMAIL STORY WITH HEART

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, ‘How was the trip?’

‘It was great, Dad ‘

‘Did you see how poor people live?’ the father asked.

‘Oh yeah,’ said the son.

‘So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?’ asked the father.

The son answered:

‘I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.’

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, ‘Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.’

Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.

Appreciate all you have, especially your friends!

Pass this on to family, friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation.

‘Life is too short and friends are too few.’

♥