Trifle dessert

Mixed Fruit Trifle

When I was growing up everyone and their mother was your "auntie".  No, I'm serious.  We called all females, auntie.  Over the weekends my parent's friends came over with their kids for get togethers. When they came to her house she was known for her trifle trifle dessert. When the parents called us down for "dessert time" we all raced each other down the stairs for who would get auntie's trifle first.  This incredible crowd pleaser would be scarfed down in minutes by adults and children alike.  That's how good this dessert is.  Now of course I have tweaked it to make it mine but the base stays the same:  layers of cake, fruit, and custard marrying together absorbing each others flavors.  That is the key, letting this dessert sit for a hours allowing the cake to absorb the custard and the fruit juices.  And it's so simple to make.  I just use whatever fruits are in season but for me bananas and strawberries are a must.  Makes for a great breakfast the next morning -- my ultimate favorite leftover.

Fruit Trifle Recipe
Adapted from Zubeda Kazi

INGREDIENTS:
1 (13x 9 inch) white cake, baked and cooled or use one Sara Lee pound cake from the freezer section
2 pints fresh strawberries, sliced, half cup reserved
1 pint fresh blackberries
2 bananas, sliced

1 can of peaches in water, chopped, drained

1 can of pineapple chunks, drained

1/4 cup orange juice
2 (4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix or make custard from scratch

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:
Follow directions for pudding mix until set. Cut the cake into 1 inch cubes. Combine the fruit with the pudding until evenly distributed.  Use half of the cake cubes to line the bottom of a large glass bowl. Layer half of the fruit and custard mixture.  Repeat layers in the same order.  In a medium bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks, add powdered sugar and vanilla to combine.  Spread over top of trifle. Garnish with reserved strawberries.  Allow to sit in the fridge for at least four hours.  Serve and enjoy.

Best ever banana bread

Banana Walnut Bread

When we were young my mom would always have banana bread on hand.  I don't know how she did it or when she had the time but somehow there was always banana bread in the house.  My favorite way to eat it was for breakfast.  I take a slice and put it in a bowl and drench it in milk.  Then I would break into small pieces and eat it with a spoon like cereal.

Banana bread reminds me of comfort and warmth.  I almost get excited when I see the bananas are getting brown in the fruit basket because no one has eaten them.  This recipe allows you to make the bread and freeze for up to two months!  Just warm it in the microwave for 30 seconds and it's amazing.  It is really moist and the walnuts give it a good textural contrast.  The trick is to stop at just one slice.

Banana Walnut Bread Recipe
Adapted from Food and Wine Magazine

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
2 large, very ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk the 1 1/4 cups of flour with the baking soda and salt. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the oil, sugar and mashed bananas. Stir the banana mixture into the dry ingredients.  Fold in the walnuts.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the center of the oven for about 50 minutes, until the bread is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and let cool for 15 minutes, then turn the bread out onto the rack and let cool completely. Cut into slices and serve.