Banana pudding and an awkward 5 minutes
Those of you that know me well know I am a big fan of these two things.
1. Any dessert that includes pudding or custard. I like it in almost all forms. Cream puffs, creme brulee, flan, custard filled wedge donuts (remember Sarah?), Boston Creme Pie, and my favorite, Banana Pudding.
I haven't made Banana Pudding since Christmas, mainly because I can't control myself when I am around it. As my friend Nick put it (he also gave me the recipe), you just don't get sick of the flavor. I couldn't agree more, nor can my stomach. Sunday night we invited the Riches and the Romneys for some. Even though they ate a good 1/2 of the pudding, I am pretty sure I ate the other half. I would have and could have eaten all of it, providing my stomach could handle it. I have been known to have a bottomless pit.
I have used the recipe off of the Vanilla Wafers box, but last year Nick gave me the recipe that I am pretty sure is the same one they use at a very famous bakery in the West Village. I am pretty sure you can find this recipe floating around, so I only hesitate a little in posting it. But really, everyone should enjoy it!
1
1/2 cups cold water
1
(14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2/3
cup instant vanilla pudding powder
3
cups heavy cream
One
box Nilla wafers
3
to 4 medium bananas, sliced
On
the low speed of an electric mixer, blend the water, milk, and
pudding powder until thoroughly mixed, about 1 minute. Refrigerate
for at least 4 hours (or overnight) until firm.
In
a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently
fold the pudding mixture into the whipped cream until well
incorporated.
In
a large bowl, starting with the wafers, make five to six layers with
Nilla wafers, sliced bananas, and then the pudding mixture, until all
of the pudding mixture is gone. End with pudding and decorate with
crushed wafers on top if desired. Refrigerate about 30 minutes before
serving, and refrigerate any leftovers.
2. And this actress.
Here is the condensed version of my obsession. Hopefully she never reads this.
I have seen her I think 4xs since I have lived here. A few times I forgot I didn't actually know her and smiled and said "hi". Of course my dreams came true when Nick called me and told me he had been invited to a dinner party at her house. This was my chance, my in. And yes, it just kept getting better. She then had a baby, I have a baby, she bought a brownstone just down the street from me, playdates, perfect! Nick also found clever ways of bringing me up over the last couple of years, so in my mind, she totally knows me. She has been anticipating our meeting, our future playdates at the playground, her loaning me or giving me her designer clothes, movie premiers, tabloid pics, etc.
So last week, Nick and I visited the Moma. He told me more stories of hanging in out in Martha's Vineyard with her and her family so naturally, I felt closer than once removed, I was in too. After he helped me down the subway stairs with Luke and caught his train, but who came bounding down the stairs in the exact skirt I was working on sewing? yep. I was so distracted by the skirt, I didn't even notice it was her. My heart started pounding, my palms started sweating, this was it, I could either take it, or perhaps regret it. Turns out, I still kinda regret it. Oh why couldn't Nick have still been there to introduce us? it would have been so natural. Instead I casually called out her name, she turned, my face turned bright red, and all of the words I had been rehearsing in my head over the last few seconds turned to gibberish. After she finally made the connection, I could have been a lot clearer, but I wasn't thinking clearly myself, we talked over the next few minutes about our kids, the neighborhood, and her skirt. As I am writing this I realize I am making it sound as though the conversation was filled with more talking and less awkward silences, but actually just the opposite. I finally had to end the 5 minutes of torture.
Of course, I still haven't lost all hope. She now knows who this crazy girl is Nick always brings up in random conversations, and she is moving down the street from me. So in my pathetic dreams, I will still be dreaming of playground dates and free designer clothes.
***A big thank you goes out to Nick, who made this entire post possible. Hope you don't mind!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 5:13AM
Reader Comments (14)
I hadn't thought of the blissful wedge donut in years. I think I need to make a donut run this morning.
I'm going to be so jealous if you start having playdates with Maggie Gyllenhaal!
wow! what a story. that's so cool that you met her (I am a fan also). I am sure it will go better next time, I mean, who wouldn't want to be friends with you?!
Thanks for posting the recipe. I can't wait to try it.
i am obsessed with her. so now i will start dreaming up when you know her, then i know you and we all hang out...
It's an honor to be included in the crazy life of a Bean.... multiple Beans even.
Did I tell you that Maggie helped herself to three servings of my summer berry pudding? Maybe that should be your next dessert.
(Shall I forward this link to her? Never cross me Bean, or else!)
That story is great! I am sure you really will get to hang out w/ her, she is moving in down the street and you already have an in. How fun! Your desert looks so so good! Are you still moving to Utah?
You are cracking me up!
that pudding was so good- i would have eaten the entire thing if people weren't watching me . . . and wanting some of their own.
good work leaving all the goggle-able names out. very stealth.
and i've been thinking of and laughing about that awkward conversation the last week. and i'm still impressed you talked to her all on your own.
I have a mini obsession with the "G"-Family also!! I only had one face-to-face moment in real life.... not as good as yours. Picture Minneapolis airport on a layover... long hallway... Jake at one end me at the other walking towards eachother... Made eye contact for about 15 seconds... and then it was over. Short but blissful nonetheless. Keep us posted about the goings ons with the new neighbor!!
Well hello hello hello hello. Oh holy random goodness. I love that this post is about two entirely separate things. And I love love love that my little Leesha actually got up the courage to strike up a conversation with 'said actress. This would be like me posting about, um, yogurt maybe, and Kate Walsh only of course I would've gone one step further to embarrass myself and actually told her she was my 'girl crush.' At least you were able to talk about babies. All I need now is to grab my spoon and gobble this post up cause I love it I love it I love it and I don't even like banana pudding yet I want to eat this entire post, (and even nibble on the comments cause they too made me a chuckle).
Whoa I just posted like two seconds, okay two minutes after me cousin, who actually got to stare in the face of sexy for 15 seconds. 15 seconds is a whole lotta seconds more than Tara.
I know of the obsession... I suppose if I met harry potter I would feel the same as you.
BTW if your still in NY in the springish time-- we're are probably going to be in the area (visiting of course).
Love the fact that you are so starstruck! Come on lady, she's still a mom/wife too...just like you.
Can't wait to try the recipe.
Please give a big hug to Chris Romney for me when you see him again! Haven't seen that boy in years!
Yay! What a great story. It was especially entertaining to hear the play-by-play first hand tonight :) Like I said, I am sure that by the time you two go out on your first [play]date she will have forgotten all the awkward stuff. Seriously - this is a GOOD first step toward reining in your new BFF.