Recital season in Santa Barbara...

Hey pie people :) So Emily, you met my friends Bridget, Calisa, and Shannon. Well basically the month of April and so far May I have felt like the husband of three manaically emotional pregnant woman because they all are finishing their MA degrees and doing their recitals. Two down, one to go... But what calms the nerves like nothing else? That's right: pie. So for my room mate Bridget's recital, I was commissioned to make pies. I wasn't given much direction, except not to make anything "weird," so I decided to step up to the plate and try my hand for the FIRST TIME EVER at making my own personal favorite. And so you see me, after a long afternoon of careful preparation, proudly displaying my first Black Bottom Banana Cream Pies. Does anyone else love this pie as much as I do? It's about as bad for you as you can get, but hey, let's first come to terms with the fact that I guess this is a PIE BLOG... Anywho, a friend of mine who made two cheesecakes for the reception decided we should have a little friendly competition and see who made the more kickass dessert, and at the end of the night he approached me and conceded defeat. I have to admit they were a hit -- I was bursting with pride :) As far as the recipe goes, I'm not posting it or anything only because I feel like if you just get the layers right (crushed graham or nilla crust, sliced banana, vanilla pudding or custard, whipped topping, bam) it's somewhat idiot-proof and most recipes are basically the same. I URGE EVERYONE TO MAKE THIS PIE MORE OFTEN. It will win you friends, basically (and only occasionally lose them for you -- my buddy approached me at the reception and lambasted me for my choice. But when I apologized and said I would make whatever his favorite pie was anytime and asked him what it was, he replied "banana cream pie." I asked him what the problem was in that case, and he answered "I'm violently allergic to bananas!" Sorry, John.)