Ensure #2

Alas it has been too long since I last wrote about Ensure and integrating into my diet in interesting and tasty ways. This week’s recipe is Banana Tiramisu. It was a very good dessert except the fact that there was no coffee or liquor in this tiramisu. So if you are trying to be sober or if coffer or liquor does not agree with you this is the recipe to try! (Next time I am definitely going to add some!)

The only thing I found difficult was trying to integrate the banana pudding recipe with the Ensure recipe because of the different measurement amounts but it all worked out (and tasted awesome) in the end. For your reference - I couldn’t find instant banana pudding and used the stovetop kind and it worked just fine. And make sure that instead of using milk for the pudding mixture use the Ensure!

I made this recipe with my mom on Earth Day (so you can do the math – it has taken me a while to type this one out) and it does take 2 people to make this (but you could do it with one as well). So we’re sitting around the kitchen table, playing our board game using only candle light and crank flash lights – we are also eating the banana tiramisu what could be more perfect? I will warn you my sister did make a comment about the tiramisu being too banana powerful – but if you like banana it’s perfect! I would even suggest putting even more banana slices and using vanilla pudding – yummy!

Happy cooking!

Banana Tiramisu

Ingredients

Makes: 8 servings

1 3-1/2-ounce package instant banana pudding
1 8-ounce bottle Ensure® Homemade Vanilla Shake*, chilled
1/2 cup cold skim milk
8 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1 cup fat-free whipped topping
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup water
16 ladyfingers (3-1/4 ounces)
1/4 ounce dark chocolate shavings
2 whole medium bananas, peeled and cut into thin slices
(Reserve several slices of banana for a garnish.)
White and dark chocolate curls (optional)
Fresh mint (optional)

Directions

1. Pour dry pudding mix into a bowl. Add the Ensure Shake and milk. Whisk by hand for 2 minutes or until mixture is thick and smooth. Set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer for 1 to 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add sour cream and beat for 30 seconds. Reduce speed to low, pour in the pudding mixture, and mix until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and banana slices.
3. Combine the orange juice and water in a small, shallow bowl. Dip each ladyfinger in the juice mixture and arrange 8 ladyfingers in the bottom of an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Spread with half of the banana cream (about 2 cups). Repeat with remaining ladyfingers, juice, and banana cream. (This dessert also can be assembled in individual stemmed glasses.)
4. Sprinkle with the chocolate shavings, cover, and chill for 4 to 24 hours.
5. To serve, cut into 8 portions. Arrange slices of banana on each serving and garnish with optional chocolate curls and/or mint. Store covered in the refrigerator.