Friday, April 29, 2011

Peanut Butter Pudding & a Trifle

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I have been having one of those weeks. Between our annual conference at work, very interrupted power supply at home, a sick toddler, and looming deadlines, I thought I would not even survive. But here I am. My eyes are puffy, my body hurts and my head is spinning with things I need to get done, because those deadlines are still looming, and my toddler is still sick. On top of that, my Google reader is overflowing, I haven't posted in days and I have so many emails to respond to. Sigh. I hate weeks like these.

And I just know things are going to be crazier next week, because I have a one-week-long Summer camp to run for five hundred children. Yes, you read right. FIVE HUNDRED children. FIVE hundred screaming, running, chaos-creating, hyperactive, little children. Just thinking about it makes me want to crawl into a hole and stay there. But, God is good & will see me through!

I am lucky I have the time to write this post, and so I am going to make it quick. If you read my blog, you could not have missed my previous post about the Mini Cake. Everyone has been so kind in commenting on that post. Your response has been so encouraging. You just reinforced what I said about the amazing food blogging community.

So, back to the mini cake. I had stashed away the rest of the yellow cake to make a trifle because my husband always enjoys a good trifle. Making a trifle is simple enough, and so I did manage to make that this week. Trifle for two.


Because I wanted to make this just for my husband and I, I have listed measurements for 2 portions. This recipe can be doubled or tripled as required. Also, the recipe calls for only half a portion of the peanut butter pudding recipe. You could halve the recipe if you want, but I made the whole recipe and ate the leftover pudding. I am sure no one will complain about leftover pudding - especially leftover peanut butter pudding.

Peanut Butter, Banana & Chocolate Trifle
1 large banana, sliced
2 oz bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate
50 ml double cream
1/2 portion Peanut Butter Pudding, (recipe below)
6-8 tablespoons of cake crumbs
4-5 tbsp of simple syrup/brandy/pineapple juice 

Chocolate layer
1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave or over a double boiler.
2. When the chocolate has completely melted, stir in the cream and whisk until smooth and completely blended.

Peanut Butter Pudding
1/2 cup sugar
5 tsp cornflour
A pinch of salt
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup cream
1/2 - 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter (depending on how peanut butter-y you want it)
1/2 tsp vanilla

1. In a saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornflour and salt till mixed.
2. Add the milk and cream. On a low heat, bring the mixture up to a boil.
3. As soon as it starts boiling, take it off the heat and stir in the peanut butter, stirring until smooth.
4. Put the saucepan back on the stove, and continue cooking on low heat until the pudding reaches the desired consistency.
5. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
6. Keep covered until you use it.


Assembling the trifle
I used individual serving glasses.
1. At the bottom of the glass, pour 1 tsp of the chocolate ganache.
2. Top with about 2 tbsp of cake crumbs.
3. Pour some of the liquid (syrup/juice etc.) over the crumbs until they are moistened.
4. Cover the cake crumbs with a generous portion of the sliced bananas.
5. The next time I make this pudding, I will add either crushed peanut brittle or crushed crunchy muesli over the banana layer. I think the trifle would be so much better with that element of crunch. If you agree, you could add this layer in.
6. Top the bananas with the peanut butter pudding.
7. Cover with a layer of chocolate ganache.
8. Repeat all the layers one more time - cake crumbs, syrup, bananas, (crunchy stuff), pudding, ganache.
9. Refrigerate until cool.
10. Top with whipped cream & serve.


This is a very simple recipe, and I made it up in my head. I just thought it made sense. And it tasted very good. Peanut butter, bananas and chocolate. With that combination, how could it not!  
P.S. - I don't think I will be able to post next week. I know that's not a good thing. But, I would consider myself blessed just to survive the week. I don't know if anyone would be interested in writing a guest post or two for a very, very new and amateur blogger, and so I am not even going to ask. I will try my best to squeeze at least one post into my crazy schedule. Thank you for bearing with me!

P.P.S. - I apologize for the very poor photographs in this post. It was the best I could do, given the circumstances. Sad!

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24 comments:

Pudding Pie Lane said...

I love peanut butter! I think it's good that the recipe is only 2 portions, because if it was any more I'd eat it all in one sitting!
That summer camp sounds like an experience! And don't stress yourself out with deadlines - the answer to to cook in times of stress to relax! :)

Rosemary Wolbert said...

A

Lizzy Do said...

I'm feeling very harried, too...the big fundraiser I work on opens today...and runs for two weeks. I am SO behind on looking at other blogs...but this is life! If the timing was better, I'd be happy to guest post for you~

I have two chocolate/peanut butter fiends in the house...they'd love your trifle :)

In Katrina's Kitchen said...

Oh man! I would eat this in one sitting no problem! Love peanut butter!!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Xinmei! That's exactly what I intend to do. Just today, after I completed one of my deadlines, I went into the kitchen and made doughnuts :) So therapeutic! :) Thanks for your comment... :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Rosemary! :) It is going to be a busy week, but you're right - I will look forward to the end of it, and to getting back to blogging! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Lizzy! :) You are sweet to even consider the guest post! :) I hope everything goes great at your fundraiser and that you feel less harried real soon! :)

theharriedcook said...

I do too! :) I think you should try the peanut butter pudding recipe, then. You would love it! :) Thanks for your thoughtful comment... :)

Briarrose said...

Oh that peanut butter pudding sounds perfect. What a lovely trifle.

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

Mmm I love trifle and my bf adores PB in any form. This was made to be gobbled up by us 8)

Mary@One Perfect Bite said...

This looks wonderful. It has all my favorite dessert flavors and I know I'd love it. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Chef Dennis said...

I love a good trifle and its been so long since I even thought of one. Your combination looks delicious and peanut butter pudding....sigh....be still my heart
Now I can dream about this trifle all night long!

theharriedcook said...

Thank you! :) The peanut butter pudding is quite addictive! :) Thanks for stopping by!

theharriedcook said...

:) my husband loves trifle and i can eat peanut butter in any form. hence, this trifle :) thanks for stopping by! :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Mary! :) It was a nice dessert :) I hope you have a great day too! :)

theharriedcook said...

Trifles are a quite a regular feature here because my husband loves it! :) This was my first time using this combination & it worked... the peanut butter pudding is especially good & very addictive! :) Thank you for stopping by, Chef Dennis!

Nami said...

Hi Marsha! I was just writing how busy I was this week (and still am)...and I saw your post. Right, we are all busy and not just me. Oh my goodness you are going to run a camp with 500 kids...yes that sounds really crazy! But I'm sure you will do just fine. I hope your toddler is feeling better. It's extra hard when kids are sick. Good luck with everything...and almost forgot about your yummy food. I really enjoyed looking at your yummy trifle. That sounds like a nice treat for a busy day. ;-)

Gitu said...

This looks so yummy! I can't wait to try it, PB, chocolate, bananas and cake.. what a great combo!

Frugal Antics said...

Good luck with that camp. Just thinking about the amount of work you are going to be doing has me in awe of your capabilities.

That trifle sounds wonderful What a great flavor combo.

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Nami, for reminding me that I am not the only one! :) The camp has started and things are crazy right now, but we're surviving :) LOL... my little girl is still sick, but I am sure she'll be fine soon! Thanks - the trifle was quick to fix and very tasty! :)

theharriedcook said...

It was very good, Gitu! And easy too... :) You should try it!

theharriedcook said...

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Kristen! I don't think it has much to do with my capabilities though... it has been more about team work! :) We're doing good & having fun... The trifle was good... thanks! :)

Firefly said...

Yummy trifle :) I love quick, yummy and delicious desserts like this one :) All my favorite ingredients too :) Hope you'll have more of a relaxing week :)

theharriedcook said...

Thank you, Suzana :) I hope so too! :D

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