Since it was raining pretty heavily, we stuck to a shaded path to block ourselves from most of the rain. We walked together for a little less than three miles before making our way home only to find that the power was out! After showering, we headed out with wet hair to meet up with Ryan for lunch in downtown Davidson.
I texted Brittany earlier in the day looking for restaurant recommendations and she pointed us toward Flatiron which ended up being a great spot! It was warm inside with lots of wood and wrought iron décor.
Greg and I arrived about five minutes before Ryan and by the time he joined us we both already knew what we wanted to order.
I chose the fish tacos and I would happily order them again.
The blackened haddock wasn’t too spicy and the liberal seasoning gave the fish a great flavor. Loved it!
A side of sweet potato fries came with Ryan’s entrée and I’m happy he was so willing to share them with me because I couldn’t stop eating them! The fries were topped with sea salt and a drizzle of honey that I couldn’t resist. So good!
Once we were done eating, Greg and I said goodbye to Ryan and headed home because I had some work to do on the computer. While I caught up, I dug into a small bowl of banana pudding that Ryan and I made early yesterday evening.
I call this “the banana pudding for people who don’t like banana pudding.” It is unreal. My sister’s husband, Ross, made it for my family a few months ago and I almost didn’t have any because I really don’t like banana-flavored desserts or treats. Well this, my friends, is different. The only banana flavor in the pudding comes from actual banana slices (no fake banana flavor!) and it reminds me more of a whipped vanilla pudding with the best buttery cookie crust thanks to the Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies on the bottom.
Ryan and I made a batch last night and it’s already almost gone. Yes, it really is that good. And no, it’s not even kind of healthy. (Tip: Make it with homemade sweetened whipped cream rather than store-bought whipped topping. It makes a big difference!) I highly recommend following this recipe for Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding next time you’re craving something creamy and delicious. The positive reviews don’t lie!
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Definitely on my list of things to make this week!!! Totally sold!
I’m not a huge fan of banana pudding, but will happily try this recipe out because I adore banana’s! And hopefully get my boyfriend to eat too!
In other news, it’s International Coffee Day!! Hope you got your CDC!!! 🙂
Ughhhh. I have tried to forget Paula Deen’s recipe didn’t exist. It is so darn good and addicting! I was hoping when I saw the title of this post on Facebook that you had a healthier version. I will keep searching…. 🙂 or indulge 🙂
I wonder if I could recreate it in a healthier way… but I’m pretty sure nothing could compare. It’s too good!
You could always use sugar free pudding and light cool whip. My mom makes my stepdad’s that way because he is diabetic. On your hike you were very close to where I live. I’m in Tennessee just across the mountain from where you were. about 45 minutes away. You were a long way from where you live. I love your blog and I love to see you enjoying exercising. I wish you could bottle your energy and enthusium and give me some. HA! Have you noticed how much that area you were hiking in around Roan Mountain looks like Scotland. Lots of Scots-Irish settled in this area. They said it reminded them of home. Have a wonderful day and keep up the great blogging!!
I’m not big on banana flavored things. I like bananas, but thats about the only way that I like them! My mom does make a really good banana cream dessert that looks very similar to this recipe (without sweetened condensed milk, so a little healthier!). Man. Now I really want banana pudding!
Sounds like its been a fun visit with your FIL!
Julie, you are responsible for my addiction to cinnamon dolce lattes/cappuccinos! I can’t get enough of them. Yesterday, I decided to DIY my own cinnamon dolce syrup and its turned out INCREDIBLE! I posted the recipe today. You need to make some so that you can have a cinnamon dolce cappuccino whenever you want.
I need this in my life!!!
Not yo momma’a banana pudding is the only kind of banana pudding I make now! The Chessman cookies are way better and stay crunchy 🙂 that restaurant looks so cute! You make me want to move to the Carolinas 🙂
Oh my gosh- so weird- that recipe is posted on the bulletin board at my workplace! We were just talking about it last week because I looooooove banana pudding (if it’s on the menu where we eat, I order it, regardless of how full I am) and I was blown away by the audacity of this person to replace Nilla Wafers with Chessman cookies! I had a taste when someone brought it in, though, and I have to agree- this pudding is phenomenal. I don’t think I could actually make it and keep it in my house though because I would undoubtedly devour the whole thing in a day!
Those fish tacos looked amazing! I’m a huge fan of fish tacos and make them often. I agree, Paula Deen’s Banana Pudding is to die for. Not healthy, but really good.
We love that banana pudding in our house too. I do not like bananas that much so I will only eat it the first night when the bananas don’t permeate everything. I love the fluffy vanilla mixture with the chessman cookies.
Isn’t it amazing!?! I agree — I like it best the first day, too.
Give me the fish tacos and banana pudding right this second.
I like banana pudding, but no artificial flavoring sounds like a winning recipe to me!
I am sold. I LOVE Bananas…hate anything else banana flavored. I believe I will have a lot of Nila Wafers with this when I make it! Thanks!
Yum!! Scott LOVES banana pudding, but I am pretty selective about it. Thanks for the suggestion!
Oh man I’m at the doctors waiting to get blood drawn. I haven’t been able to eat all day and seeing this food makes me so hungry!
I love bananas and banana flavored desserts! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Yum!! This looks so good. There have been soany different banana dessert recipes floating around the web recently.
I also think I need to plan a trip to Charlotte soon! The restaurants look so good and there are so many different options.
I’m not sure I’ve ever had banana pudding… probably because I was nervous about fake banana flavor, haha! That recipe sounds amazingggg!
I have been looking for a shirt exactly like the one you have on- where did you get it? Thanks!
I’m not a “regular” banana pudding person, but that sounds to die for! The one my family makes is another one that’s a bit different. It has vanilla pudding, a ton of bananas, and cream cheese for richness. Not remotely healthy, but utterly perfect. We usually add strawberries, too, for that whole strawberry-banana thing 🙂
That sounds like something I would love! I used to make banana pudding with nilla wafers when I was younger and eat almost the whole batch in one go…. it just goes down so smoothly!
Some things are best left unhealth-ified….adding this to my list to make! Thanks girl!
Julie,
Where did you get the black top in the picture? I love it!!!
I love your cutout shirt, please share details! 🙂
The thought of someone not liking banana pudding is nearly enough to bring tears to my eyes. And fish tacos are one of my favorite meals ever!
Yum! Any desert with cream cheese is a win in my book. That banana pudding sounds amazing!
My aunt makes banana pudding with just vanilla pudding, banana slices, nilla wafers, and whipped cream and it’s THE BEST. I’m not a fan of banana flavoring either but banana pudding is my favorite dessert(minus ice cream)! I’ve never run across a version that has banana flavoring so I don’t think it traditionally is made that way anyway!
I have been CRAVING banana pudding! Over the past few weeks I keep asking my husband, “Should I make it…?” I’m going to take this as a sign that it’s the perfect time to make it! Yuuuum! I’m excited!
Hi Julie! Thanks for sharing this great spot! You have saved me big time. I’ve finally completed my dining list for our upcoming event.
Yay! That’s great!!
Julie, your last two posts are making my miss mountains… especially NC mountains. My husband grew up in Asheville and we need to get down there soon! You are going to have an amazing fall- I’m sure of it. 🙂
Since you know you DO like banana pudding now, you must try banana bread pudding from Magnolia Bakery if you’re ever in NYC. Ridiculously good. It’s one of the things I will truly miss since I’ve decided to stick with a vegan diet.
The recipe sounds divine! I admire your devotion to walking Sadie even though it is raining. On the nights when it is raining, our dog doesn’t normally get a walk and we all stay inside!
I LOVE banana everything, but my husband feels more like you do – hates the fake banana flavour. But, something with REAL bananas in it is totally good with him. I laughed after reading your “disclaimer” about it not being healthy at all, only to open the link and see Paula Deen’s name – definitely not healthy! LOL. It sounds amazing and I have a few ideas of how to make it healthier. I’m going to test it out this weekend… I’ll let you know! Thanks for sharing!
I have made this exact recipe as well and it was a hit with my family!
I am not a banana pudding person because I do not like desserts with coolwhip! Eeek! I wish I did! I feel like the family outcast at gatherings when I have to pass it up! haha 🙂
I knew it had to be unhealthy as soon as I saw Paula Deen…but so good!!
Sea salt and honey on sweet potato fries?! I need to try this the next time we make them at home…I am so craving a dinner out!