By: Sarah
NO…please don’t give us more summer, it’s a scorcher out here in Houston, Texas. It’s September, we just need this heat to end and we are so prepared to say goodbye to another summer. I’m excited to have you here again on my page as we get ready for fall. Yes, we’re so ready for you, AUTUMN. But because we rather keep the oven off, let’s chill out with my cool heat-wave recipes of Avocados and Bananas. They’re not complicated, they are flavorful (you won’t be able to stop at just one taste) and they are easily customizable. And truly homemade, these dessert recipes are true crowd pleaser and drool worthy. And bananas and avocados…true Pinoy favorites.
I did something different this year…a REAL splurge, geez, what was I thinking, but no regrets. Sometimes you do crazy stuff in life…you just do it! Saw an AD online, this was some 4 or 5 months before the trip to NYC. Headline: Lea Salonga appearing on new Broadway show for a month, ending August 13, 2023. It’s an interesting history lessons on the Marcoses and Aquinos, a Broadway musical with an all-Filipino cast. It’s Lea, can’t say NO to that. And not only did I book the flight and hotel, I purchased four, yes 4 Broadway shows…and they aint cheap! If you ever plan to visit NYC, I highly recommend staying at Residence Inn by Marriot (1717 Broadway). No Uber rides needed to Broadway Theatres and Times Square, you get free hot breakfast (so many options, truly enjoyed) and suite kitchenette with appliances (microwave, fridge and coffee maker), cookware and utensils. Got our room at 53rd floor, it really was a wonderful entry into New York City, the city that never sleeps. Back to Lea’s small appearance (one song) as Ninoy’s mother in HERE LIES LOVE, she had the loudest applause, but of course. The set design was interesting with moving stage. Selling the show as the hottest club in New York and bringing a disco pop party to Broadway…well, the show wasn’t a comedy version, it was drama through and through. Really needed fashion glitters, pleasant and climactic melodies and strong characters, specially for actor portraying Imelda Marcos. And Disco…no it wasn’t, sorry, I didn’t feel like dancing. At ends of each scenes, hardly audience gave deafening applause, instead merely supportive gestures. And when the theatre sounds weren’t that great…show failed in comparison with the other shows we watched: And Juliet, Some Like it Hot and Lea Michelle’s Funny Girl. Well, I have to thank Lea Salonga for making me go back to NYC, where there’s lots to explore and enjoy.
Jolibee’s in Times Square, always packed, and really enjoyed not only by our kababayans. Cousin Dutchie wanted us to experience Serendipity3, the home of amazing food and decadent desserts. No hesitation when she mentioned the OUTRAGEOUS BANANA SPLIT. It was served with the usual three types of ice cream, a banana, maraschino cherries, peanuts and whipped cream, but not on a banana split glass bowl, instead it was on a cobbler container. Thought that was odd, specially for a ridiculous price of $28, omg. I love ice cream, but really now. We skipped Juniors cheesecake, just that it just too rich and heavy. Magnolia Bakery was just some steps from hotel and we saw a large crowd enjoying WORLD-FAMOUS BANANA PUDDING. Truly unparalleled, the combination of fresh bananas, vanilla wafers and fluffy vanilla pudding was a delight, I can certainly sign up for membership to PUDDING CLUB.
NO-BAKE AVOCADO CHEESECAKE
Grab a spoon and enjoy the whole cake (no judgement!) with your heart and mouth desires.
GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
In a food processor, crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add melted butter and pulse until combined. Divide the crumbs/crust in individual jars or glasses. Press crumbs to form a crust. Chill in freezer for 10 minutes or chill for at least an hour before pouring filling over it. You can also use a 9 inch springform cake pan and bake it at 350 F for 10 minutes for a more Stay Cool With `No Bakes’ sturdy crust.
CHEESECAKE:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 can condensed milk
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
lemon zest
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water and bloomed for 5 minutes.
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped until stiff peaks form
3-4 ripe avocados peeled, pitted and cubed
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, condensed milk, lemon juice and lemon zest using a hand mixer. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Melt the gelatin in microwave for 15-20 seconds, then whisk into the cream cheese mixture. Add the avocados and beat until smooth and well combined. Fold whipped cream into the avocado mixture. Spoon/pour into the jars/glasses/pans with crust, spreading evenly. Refrigerate 3 hour or overnight. Garnish with graham cracker crumbs or whipped cream.
As good as Magnolia Bakery’s Famous Banana Pudding
Needs to chill at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Decadent, not too sweet, so easy to make…a 5 star winner! Could you use canned peaches instead of bananas…oh Yes!
1 box (11 oz) Vanilla Wafers,
5 to 6 ripe bananas, sliced
Homemade Pudding:
2 cups whole milk, divided
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Combine the 1 1/2 cups milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat, bringing to a gentle simmer, not boiling. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining 1/2 cup whole milk, sugar, salt, cornstarch and the egg yolks, beating until smooth. Slowly add about 3/4 cup of the simmering milk mixture to egg yolk mixture to slightly warm it. Then add the warmed egg yolk mixture into the pan of simmering hot milk. Whisk constantly until the pudding begins to thicken, about 2 or 3 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and butter. Transfer to a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate to cool, and whisk again before assembly. Can be made in advance, refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Fresh Whipped Cream:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Whip on medium-high speed until firm peaks form. Fold in pudding mixture.
Assembly:
This is a no-bake dessert so feel free to use a serving dish, small or large trifle bowl, wine glasses for parfaits. Layer wafers (crumbled or whole), pudding mixture, banana slices, then top with generous amount of whipped cream. Just before serving, garnish with banana slices, extra crushed wafers and cooked condensed milk (dulce de leche). Or you can stand wafers upright around edge of dish. NOTE: Banana pudding does not freeze well.
Last words: “Never regret a day in your life. Good days bring you happiness and bad days give you experience.” And really, life often gets the hardest, when we’re about to be blessed, so you just have to get up in the morning, each day and every day. Every Gising…is a Blessing. Cheers!