Three Various Topics

There were angry people on the metro this morning. We changed trains at L'Enfant plaza and some guy proceeded to get mad at everyone who wouldn't get out of his way. We were all trying to fit on the train buddy! Chill. Then some lady told me to get out of her way, which was difficult because she had a horrible rolling suitcase. Then some lady slapped Lisa's hand away from holding the pole in front of her. Literally. The lady, knocked Lisa's arm away and said, "Exuuuuse me" (rudely obviously) while that lady proceeded to practically body hug the pole so no one else could read it. Shocking behavior from the metro today.

* * *

I'm going to the beach this weekend. Duck beach. Every year I say I'm going to do something better the following year. This year I gave in again. And I'm actually surprisingly excited and thrilled to be going. I have a small agenda for this year. It's really simple:

1. don't get fried the first day. I'm hoping to counteract the sun with my SPF 50 and SPF 85. Not kidding. Knowing me I will tan still and I'm hoping not to be as miserable as previous year. I burn in like 20 minutes anyway so I'm pretty sure I'll still have a burn. (I also bought a big hat.)
2. glam it up. This will mostly be accomplished by my tinted lip balm (Best. Stuff. EVER. Seriously. Yes I have every color.) And then I will look like I'm wearing lipstick at the beach. Ridiculous? Yes. Awesome? Definitely. (And then I will feel gorgeous. Seriously.)
3. skinny dip and have my clothes waiting when I return. Did I ever tell you my clothes got stolen when I skinny dipped in the Sea of Galilee? True story. It was terrifying. The clothes were returned. Trish gets the credit with the theft and lucky for us, the return.
4. finish two books. I haven't chosen the second yet but I've been saving THIS one for the beach.
5. get tan, make new friends, and get to know old ones better. Duh.

(Duck post from last year.)

* * *

I desperately want cookies right now. Preferably a coconut, toffee, chocolate chip one like the ones I made on Tuesday for a coworker. I should have saved some for myself...

* * *

I'm going shopping during lunch today. Hoping to find another sleeved maxi dress because I've now worn my new one every day this week. Mostly when I get home from work but it has still made an appearance on my body every day this week. I'll probably have to wear it after work today to round out the week.

Banana Pudding

Every time I go to New York City I want to stop by Magnolia Bakery for banana pudding. It's the creamiest, lightest, best tasting pudding ever. Kind of like banana cream pie, and I love banana cream pie. After one of these trips I decided I wanted to recreate the recipe for my roommates. And I made it, and it was good, but the texture wasn't right. It was delicious and pudding-y but it wasn't as light as the Magnolia Bakery version. Since it was good, I made it a few more times but it just never fully compared to the "real" stuff.

The "real" stuff. Photo from Flickr

Until this weekend when I basically hit the jackpot. And I think it was because I made the pudding and didn't use Jell-O. So, I'm going to share the happiness with you:

Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
Adapted from Crepes of Wrath

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 egg, room temperature
1 egg yolk, room temperature
2 cups whole milk
2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large bananas, sliced
1 box nilla wafers (I didn't use them all but you'll want enough)
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup powdered sugar

1. In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine the sugar, cornstarch, egg, egg yolk, whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk together until combined, then continue whisking for 8-10 minutes, until the pudding begins to bubble like hot lava (thick pudding with bubbles that sound like a ‘plopping’ noise). Add in the unsalted butter, reduce heat to the lowest setting, and whisk until completely melted. Pour the pudding into a separate bowl, then allow to sit in the fridge until cool. (It's a couple hours.)

2. Whip the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until very stiff.

3. When the pudding is cool and the whipped cream is finished, fold the cream and pudding together until there is no more visible yellow. Don't stir because you will loose some of the air in the cream.

4. When the pudding is ready, begin to layer your pudding. Alternate layers of pudding, Nilla wafers, and bananas until you have used all the pudding. Then let the whole thing sit for a few hours (overnight is best) until the Nilla Wafers are soft. 

Serves 8 but you might want to double it because it's so good.

Seriously, you should try it. I promise you won't be disappointed. And if you do try and you've had the real stuff, let me know how it compares. I'm really interested to know if it needs something else or if it's as close as I think it is.