The Way To Their Heart
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 12:17AM Remember the old adage "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach"? Is this an idea that has lost it's relevancy in the age where it's socially acceptable to hook up with even a casual acquaintance? Does today's man even care if a woman can cook? Is it important to have at least one half of a happy couple with some culinary ability?
Well I don't know the answers to any of those sociological mysteries, but I'm here to testify when it comes to the teenage eating machine, food is the gateway to their soul. Turns out things are pretty much the same with teens & food in Texas. (except they are crazy for football, that deserves a post of it's own).
If you've ever watched The Dog Whisperer, you know Cesar says the quickest way to get a dog's attention is through his nose. Same system works with a pack of teenagers.
Pack of teenagers
After being here 2 months I decided to start working my wily ways to slip a net around the fledgling group of friends of my daughters. Good stick to the ribs food, a come as you are invitation, making them feel relaxed and at home will draw them right in.There's no need to set a Martha Stewart like table. They just care about what's on the plate. Period.
For the first group meal of the season we featured slow cooked pork, pulled and simmered with home made barbecue sauce. It went over really well when piled on buns with some cole slaw topping and a wedge of watermelon.
As they eat they gab. As they gab you listen, as you unobtrusively refill serving bowls and clean up the cooking mess. As you listen, you get to know them, what's dominating their schedule, what it's like at home for them.
Basically you collect data and store it away for use at a later date when the drama (inevitably) comes. By staying in touch on a regular basis with my daughter's friends I am able to keep my finger on the pulse of the group to know if anything is brewing that I need be on the lookout for. Plus it's fun. It's a lot of work, but it's fun.
And of course there's always some very fine strings attached. There will be a day I need help with a project at home and I will have built my network of teenage worker bees and can succinctly lure them in with something really scrumptious.
Which brings me around to how we topped the evening off. Trust me you are going to want to know how to make my beloved Aunt Hazel's Banana Pudding, a favorite & true southern dessert.
Ingredients
Vanilla pastry cream
Layering wafers, bananas & pastry cream
meringue
Aunt Hazel's Banana Pudding
The shovel of approval
Pastry Cream
3 cups whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 plus 1/8 cup of cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 eggs
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
*Heat the milk in a medium saucepan until it begins to bubble *Remove from burner *Whisk sugar, cornstarch & salt in a bowl *Add the eggs to the bowl & whisk until smooth * Gradually whisk in 1/2 of the hot milk *Pour the mixture from the bowl back into the saucepan and continue to cook, whisking * Cook over medium heat until gently boiling, boil for 1 minute * It should be thickened at this point* Turn off heat and add butter and vanilla
Meringue
4 egg whites
4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Beat egg whites (preferably in a chilled bowl) until they form peaks* Add the rest of the ingredients and continue whipping until stiff peaks can be formed*
Hazel's Banana Pudding
Now if you're intimidated by making pastry cream you can cheat and use a vanilla pudding mix, but the pastry cream is so worth it! Layer wafers, sliced bananas, pastry cream in an 8 x 8 baking dish* Follow with another layer* Spread meringue over top, making swirls on top (or whatever creative finish you want)* Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Voila'
Now get busy and lure some unsuspecting prospects into your sphere of influence. And don't forget to make them put their dishes into the dishwasher because they should learn early to never take hospitality for granted.
Reader Comments (7)
Thank you for posting grannies recipe that i didnt even have!!! Someone got to her cookbooks before I even had a chance :( so, i have to ask.....How do u make the pastry cream? email me: giraffecrazygirl@aol.com
much love to ya!
Tracy
Tracy Lee, bless your heart, the pastry cream recipe is the first part up there.
I forgot what else I was going to say.
Absolutely. The mom who makes the best cookies always gets to host the Hackmaster games.
I'm learning to make dreadful cookies. Or no cookies. Maybe they'll go away?
oh...ha ha! I am blond :)
We have friends that are getting married this weekend. And for the reception they have provided recipe postcards for you to make a dessert and take so they can have a recipe collection from their "special day". I think this is a GREAT idea ( the bride is a pastry chef @ heart for Biltmore Estate) and I am going to make this for them and write this for their postcard collection. What a GREAT time to post this on your blog. THANK YOU THANK YOU ! xoxo
Up here wishing I was one of your three younger princesses' friends. Fabulous fare!!! Also wishing for their teenage metabolisms...
Love and miss ya'll !!!!! xo
Holy cow, that pudding sounds so good! I think I'll try it on Sunday. Yum, yum.
P.S. re the teen recon, have you considered a career w/the CIA?
Yum.
That's all I have to say about that. I think I might have to make that this coming weekend. Loved it! Thanks for sharing!