Flavor #32 - Mrs. Wilkes Banana Pudding

Traveling is a great way to experience new flavors. Over ten years ago, Alice suggested we hit this little place for lunch while we were in Savannah, Georgia, Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room. The place had been around since the '40's when Mrs. Wilkes' husband went off to WWII and she entered into the southern tradition of opening up her house to boarders. Once the war was over, her reputation for her food and lodgings was strong enough that they kept the place going. At some point, they opened the dining room to the public. The first time we went, Mrs. Wilkes was there! Although she passed away in 2002, the family has kept the dining room open. Lunch is the only meal served and is a must for anyone visiting this most unique southern city. The food is amazing and remember to get there early as there are no reservations and the line gets long very fast.

This was the line back in 2011.

The meals are served family style at large tables where you sit with other diners. There is no menu and it is all you can eat. Once you sit down, all these plates and bowls of classic southern dishes start coming your way. Which brings me to the Banana Pudding. Banana Pudding would not be the first thing I would ever order for desert. However, both times I have had it at Mrs. Wiles' it was nothing short of inspiring!

1 1/2 Cups of Heavy Cream

1 1/2 Cups of Milk

1 Cup of Sugar

3 Tablespoons of Banana Pudding Mix

1 Teaspoon of Lemon Juice

2 Ripe Bananas, sliced

1 Pinch of Salt

1 Cup of Chopped Vanilla Wafers - 18 Cookies!

Wow! I am not usually a fan of banana but this is some great ice cream. The pudding gives it a real fluffy texture. Then there is the sweet quality that you get when banana is mixed with the dairy to go along with the added sugar. The combination makes it very sweet without going too far over the top. And I would never typically buy Vanilla Wafers but they are add the perfect crunch to this flavor. It is also the cookie that Mrs. Wiles had in her Banana Pudding. The pudding and the cookies and definitely not within my standards when it comes to organics and chemical free ingredients. I am working on alternatives but I am pretty happy with this and I expect it go go quickly!

Enjoy!