Marvin's Banana Cream Pie
I didn't have the heart to tell him it was really banana pudding.
If he wanted to call it Mama's Banana Cream Pie, so be it.Savannah was
about to be entertained that Saturday night by one of the greats,
Marvin Hamlisch. But before he was scheduled to entertain us, I
wanted the opportunity for us to entertain him. So as he was
lickin' the "banana cream pie" off his lips, I walked over to his
table with one of our singing servers, Gabrielle Allen, and asked
permission for her to sing a song for him.
He gave me a puzzled look and said, "What am I supposed to say, 'no'?
And run the risk of not getting any more banana cream pie?"
Gabby burst into a beautiful rendition of Unforgettable. The entire
restaurant hung on to every beautiful note.
Marvin held the greatest surprise for us: as Gabby finished her
song, he immediately issued her an invitation to perform with him
that night onstage. Looking at me, he said, "Mama, you have to be
there, too." I can't tell y'all the excitement that Gabby felt and
the pride I felt for her.
That night Gabby performed beautifully, captivating the audience
while Marvin did his magic on the keyboard. Not only is he abundantly
talented, he is also a kind, warm and generous man with a fabulous
sense of humor. Warm thanks to you, Marvin, from Savannah.
(from The Lady & Sons Just Desserts)
- 2 3-ounce boxes cook-and-serve vanilla pudding
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 8-ounce carton sour cream
- 1 12-ounce box vanilla wafers
- 6 to 8 bananas
Topping
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
(I used less sugar in the topping--1/2 cup
seemed definitely an overkill to me.)
Stir puddings into milk. Continue according to directions on box,
using microwave or standard directions. Remove from heat and add
butter and vanilla; allow to cool. Beat cream and sugar together
until stiff peaks form, using a handheld electric mixer. Fold into
cooled pudding. Stir in sour cream. Put a thin layer of custard in
the bottom of a 10 x 3 inch casserole dish (I don't do this. I put
the first layer as just vanilla wafers because I don't like them to
get too soggy--but you have to pour the pudding in carefully or the
wafers will shift.) Line bottom and sides with vanilla wafers.
(I don't put them on the sides either. A local deli here, fixes
banana pudding in a big clear glass bowl and lines the entire bowl
with vanilla wafers. That would look pretty for a party. They
also put strawberries as decorations, too.) Alternately layer with
custard, cookies, and bananas, beginning and ending with custard.
For topping, beat cream and sugar together until stiff peaks form,
using a handheld electric mixer. Frost pudding with whipped cream
and refrigerate.
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