Sweet Home Alabama: Sweets in the “Heart of Dixie”

While last week’s blog highlighted North Carolina as the first colony and the “First in Flight,” Sweet Home Alabama is home to many firsts as well: 

• the first state to make Christmas a legal holiday
• the first Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. 
• the first 911 call 
• the first electric trolley system 
• first state to name a whiskey as its official drink

Also worth knowing: 

• The Super Soaker was invented by Alabamian Lonnie Johnson (who also invented the Nerf Gun)
• Alabama has one of the longest constitutions in the world
• Magnolia Springs is the only U.S. city to have mail delivered entirely by boat
• Windshield wipers were invented here
• America’s oldest baseball park is in Birmingham

What a diverse and fun state! No doubt there is plenty to enjoy for our My Girlfriendships® visit! 

As for the food, The Cotton State is just as diverse, but my sweet tooth immediately honed in on banana pudding!

Let’s Eat…in! 

According to Only In Your State, when it comes to banana pudding in Alabama, only the real stuff will do. They leave that boxed stuff on the shelves where it belongs.

Alabama Banana Pudding

Ingredients for 8 | Multiply by degree of hunger, divide by number of girlfriends!

Ingredients

•     3/4 cup sugar

•     1/4 cup cornstarch

•     1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

•     6 egg yolks

•     3 1/2 cups milk

•     2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed

•     1/4 cup butter, cubed

•     1 tablespoon vanilla extract

•     1 tablespoon dark rum

•     5 medium bananas, sliced

•     1 - 12 ounce box of vanilla wafers (ok this is the ONLY boxed stuff we will be using)

Directions

Step 1

Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks in a large saucepan.

Step 2

Whisk in milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 3

Cook, stirring, until it thickens to a custard (coats the back of a spoon), 1-2 minutes.

Step 4

Remove from heat. Whisk in butter, vanilla, and rum. Let cool.

Step 5

Place 1/3 of the vanilla wafers over the bottom of an 8” x 8” dish.

Step 6

Top with 1/3 bananas.

Step 7

Cover bananas with 1/3 of the pudding.

Step 8

Repeat each layer twice.

Step 9

Refrigerate until chilled. Serve cold, with vanilla wafers on top.

Let’s Eat…out! 

Looking for a place to gather with girlfriends for dinner for a night out? Here are a couple of great options when planning your next girlfriend gathering:

• Dauphins, Mobile  |  Dramatic view meets distinctive dining at Dauphin’s. The name Dauphin’s is a playful twist on the history of owner Bob Baumhower and Mobile too: the “dauphin” was the title of the French crown prince when France founded the Port City in 1702. And football: Baumhower was a defensive tackle with the Miami Dolphins before turning foodie. 

The menu celebrates classic coastal cuisine with hints of Caribbean and Creole soul so when in this Gulf state, I’m definitely indulging in the local Gulf-caught faire: its Mauvilla platter fried shrimp, oysters, flounder filet, hush puppies, sidewinder fries, coleslaw.

• Voyagers, Orange Beach |  What a perfect name for our girlfriends traveling crew, because Voyagers we are! Chef Brady Olive is focused on only serving the highest quality Gulf seafood that is locally sourced. He is passionate about using fresh ingredients, prepared simply and beautifully so that the flavors of the food are allowed to shine. The combination of spectacular views, an award-winning wine list, local Gulf-caught seafood, and dry aged steaks make Voyagers a unique culinary destination. We prepare authentic Gulf Coast cuisine that embraces the true spirit of the region. There is no better place for spectacular beachfront dining in Orange Beach than Voyagers.

Not only are shellfish found in the Gulf of Mexico but so are many other fish including the Grouper. The Romesco roasted Gulf grouper with finger sweet potato, chorizo, baby kale, fried hominy and crab salad sounds absolutely delectable.

Recipe source:

https://www.rouses.com/cooking/recipes/alabama-banana-pudding/

Photo credit:

Fried Oysters

Fish