The taste of berries is a favorite of mine. I love berries fresh from the garden, frozen and canned — any way I can find them. This recipe combines both strawberries and bananas with a pudding similar to an old fashioned vanilla pudding.

This has been a favorite dessert of mine for many years, and it’s easy to double the recipe for a large family gathering, like Thanksgiving supper.

I have a sister-in-law from England — hence the usage of the word trifle. As a southern gal, it would be easy for me to call this dessert strawberry banana pudding. No matter what you call it, this dessert is delicious.

Other side dishes will follow to help you create a gourmet holiday meal.

Strawberry banana trifle

Ingredients

• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 4-ounce package instant vanilla pudding
• 2 cups whipping cream, whipped
• 3 cups strawberries, sliced (reserve 3)
• 2 bananas
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 1 strawberry supreme cake mix

Preparation

Bake cake according to package directions, using a 13- by 9-inch pan. When cool, slice and place cake slices inside a trifle dish.

Slice bananas and dip in lemon juice, set aside. Slice strawberries, reserving 3 to use as garnish. 

In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and water. Add pudding mix and beat well. Chill 5 minutes. Fold in cream, strawberries and bananas. Pour into prepared bowl with cake. Cover and chill. 

Garnish with reserved strawberries. Refrigerate leftovers.

From the scriptures

Almost all books in the Bible contain references to foods. Luke 4:4 says, “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Reading the Bible will supply you with spiritual food the same way that cooking and consuming food supplies your body with physical food. This recipe references the following scriptures:

• Proverbs 30:30
• Judges 5:25
• Job 6:6