Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Banana Cream Pie (TWD)


What do I know about this week's Tuesdays With Dorie selection, Banana Cream Pie?

I know this pie well...
- Between my hubby and me, this pie can be inhaled in a weekend or less.
- On occasion, this pie and I have shared a 2am rendezvous, with me standing in front of the fridge.
- Ingorance is bliss - I know NOT to ask about the calorie count in this dessert

As you can see, I am very familiar with this delicious pie. Knowing our tendencies, I exerted some self control and halved the recipe to make a 4 inch baby pie. Besides, with summer just around the corner, we don't need the extra fat and calories.

Even with the reduced portions, I still had some pastry cream and whipped cream leftover ... with some crushed nilla wafers... banana parfait anyone?

This is not your run-of-the-mill banana cream pie. The base of this pie is Dorie Greenspan's fantastic crust. The sweetness is definitely dialed down in this recipe (which I do prefer) and has a dimension of spice (cinnamon and nutmeg) added to the pastry cream. Finally, there is an added tang with just a touch of sour cream added to the whipped topping.

If I plan to assemble and to serve the pie immediately, I will take an additional step and brulee the bananas before adding the pastry cream and whipped cream topping (besides, I'll use any excuse to bring out my kitchen torch). If you serve the pie immediately, you get a little crunchy surprise with the torched sugar. If you let the pie sit for any length of time, the crunchy texture will disappear but you a get a little additional sweetness from the sugar. As this pie isn't too sweet to begin with, I don't mind this touch of added sugar.
I enjoyed making the smaller pie, and it was perfect for the two of us to share. I think my husband thought otherwise, proclaiming that this baby pie was a single serving (nice try).
If you favor a more traditional banana cream pie with the sweeter vanilla flavored pastry cream, this may not be your cup o' tea. Still, I would recommend that you take this recipe for a test drive... you may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Amy of Sing For Your Supper rocked it with this terrific selection this week! I know you want to make this pie, so head on over to Amy's terrific blog for the recipe.

32 comments:

Cristine said...

I loved this pie, too! Yours looks fantastic and it makes me want another pie NOW! :)

Marthe said...

Bruleeing the bananas is a wonderful ideas!! Unfortunately this recipe just didn't do it for me... But, there's always next week ;)

chocolatechic said...

What a brilliant idea to brulee the bananas.

Teanna said...

I absolutely LOVED this recipe! What an awesome idea to do the bruleed bananas! I need any excuse to whip out the kitchen torch! Great photos!

The Food Librarian said...

Certainly anything where you can bring out the torch is applauded and encouraged. This looks absolutely yummy and beautiful!!

Kimberly Johnson said...

I love your mini pie! Bruleeing the bananas sounds like a fantastic idea!

Isabelle Lambert said...

Quelle belle présentation Linda ! et ces bananes caramélisées...mmmmm!!!

Sara said...

Your pie is beautiful, I love the idea to brulee all the bananas.

farah said...

Oh my goodness....... this looks so good!!!
I really liked this pie, i just wish mine looked like yours ;)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! Makes me wish I could reach out and grab that pie! I think your husband's right that just might be a single serving! And what a terrific idea brulee-ing the bananas!
~ingrid

Mary Jo said...

your pictures are fantastic! i like the collage :)

Amy of Sing For Your Supper said...

Wowee, this looks amazing!! I love the caramelized bananas on top...sheer genius!! Thanks for baking with me this week!

-Amy
www.singforyoursupperblog.com

Liz said...

Oh man, bruleeing the bananas is a genius touch! I will most definitely do that step next time. YUM.

Anonymous said...

Brulee your bananas. Oh wow I have to make this again! Love the mini pie

Carol Peterman/TableFare said...

I made a note in my book to brulee the bananas next time. That sounds fantastic!

Heather said...

Love the bruleed bananas, and the photography!

Rachel said...

The baby pie was a great idea--and super cute!

vibi said...

Super cute, Linda!

...and oh! those caramelelized bananas... OoooooOOhhhh! please have mercy! (lol)

Y said...

I love those caramelised bananas, and the pie dish is fab!

karen said...

whoa baby! love it, love it, love it. we inhaled this pie in one day at my house so i'd almost be hesitant to make it again... but i'm keeping the brulee tip in mind just in case!

Passionate Baker said...

aww your little pie looks SO cute!
and delicious!
great job!
<3

Cathy said...

I adore your baby pie. I brought a brulee torch when TWD did creme brulee, and I swore I'd use it regularly. Of course, I haven't used it once since then. Now I know I can torch those bananas before making this delicious pie - perfect! Yours is gorgeous; glad that you & hubs enjoyed!

spike. said...

The pie looks great, esp with the bananas on top

Unknown said...

Oh my, those bananas look phenomenal! Great job!

TeaLady said...

OH!!! WOW!!! Those bruleed bananas look awesome, fantastic, stupendous on that beautiful pie. Nuff said!

test it comm said...

That banana cream pie looks so good!

Pamela said...

Oh, wow! THose bruleed bananas look amazing!! Great job.

Anonymous said...

the baby pie is so cute and looks so delicious! Bruleeing the bananas is a great idea - I didn't even think of doing that. :) Thanks for the tip!

Shari said...

I love your banana brulee! And like you, I don't want to know how many calories are in this dessert!

Annette said...

Your pie looks so good, it's making me want another piece! I love your bruleed bananas. Nice touch!

Talita said...

Yummy, yummy! The dough looks perfect with the filling!

Dazy said...

Delicious looking and delicious tasting and quite simple to make! I've never made Banana Cream Pie before. These were pure delight and I'm sure to make them again.

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