banana pudding

Bananas were never my favorite fruit. Quite frankly, I still don’t particularly gravitate towards them now, even when given the opportunity to have them on my pancakes or for a quick snack before a sports event. But somehow, this banana pudding has me in a chokehold, one that I cannot escape despite my commitment to disliking the fruit.

It could be because of its creaminess. As soon as you take a bite, you’ll understand what I mean. When chilled, the banana pudding has a texture akin to freshly churned ice-cream. There are no ice crystals, no air bubbles, giving the pudding a perfectly smooth consistency. What’s more is that each bite of the rich, creamy, frozen delight contains some kind of satisfying crunch, whether it be of chessman crackers or Nilla wafers.

Or maybe, it’s the cinnamon. The spice’s warm, sweet flavor complements the smooth and nutty tastes of the condensed and coconut milk respectively. The pudding’s layers of immaculate flavors are topped off with the delicate notes of sweet banana that are reminiscent of vanilla and honey. I get hungry just thinking about it.

I don’t ever think I will seek out a raw banana to snack on. But if presented with the chance to dig into this banana pudding, you wouldn’t have to ask me twice.

Ingredients

• 1 box of vanilla pudding

• 2 cups fresh coconut milk

• ¼ cup sour cream

• ½ tsp vanilla essence

• ½ tsp cinnamon powder

• 1 can of condensed milk

• 1 ripe banana

• Nilla wafers or chessmen cookies

Directions

1. Whisk all of the wet ingredients together until the mixture starts to thicken.

2. Line a glass bowl with Nilla wafers and then a layer of thinly sliced banana.

3. Pour the wet mixture on top until the wafer and banana layers are fully covered.

4. Repeat the last two steps one more time.

5. Cover the mixture and put it in the fridge to set for about an hour.

6. When ready to serve, garnish the top with a layer of thinly sliced bananas on top of the pudding, and enjoy!

Slices

Nilla Wafers

winter comes and passes, but the food we have during these chilly times will always stay with us... SPECIAL THANKS TO AKARI IMAI, OUR WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHER WHO PROVIDED ALL THESE PICTURES!