Pistachio Dessert

I am not sure, but maybe it is National Pudding Awareness Month. OK...it is probably ONLY my house that is celebrating.

Really, what is better than a big ole bowl of pudding?? My favorite has got to be homemade butterscotch. And it has to be warm...right out of the pot, too.

When I was a kid, I used to make pudding for dessert all the time. It didn't matter really if it was made from scratch. I was just as happy to have a boxed pudding cooked. Or even instant pudding would do.

I think when pudding is set in front of you, there is some kind of mutation that evolves. There is an instant desire to take a big blob of it on a spoon and make sucking noises. Or pudding bubbles, only in reverse...lol. With all the talk of keeping young, and finding the fountain of youth, I think the strategy may need rethinking. Perhaps if the fountain were made of pudding, then we would all be a kid again. **Mental note to buy stock in the Jello company**

One of my specialties as a preteen was Pudding in a Cloud. I remember thinking I was some kind of culinary goddess at 12 years old, when I had this dessert whipped up. I would use mom's ruby red footed dessert dishes. The most awesome compliment to the pale green Pistachio pudding, nestled oh so lovingly inside the Dream Whip clouds. I remember how all my sisters would ohh and ahh when it was dessert time. I am sure it was my mother telling them behind my back to make a fuss. It is ALL about the presentation, I always say!

Pudding is still playing a part in my cooking. It is incorporated into desserts, and trifles, even my cookies sometimes use pudding. One of my favorite recipes comes from my sister Kim. It is Pistachio Dessert. Oh. My. Gawd. For such simple ingredients, it truly is a confection worth creating. It sounds all simple, but when you get a taste of that shortbread bottom, exploding and blending with cream cheese, Pistachio flavor and Cool Whip (Yay for edible oil products!!!) you are hooked!!! My kids think the sun rises and sets on this recipe. This recipe requires no special skills...only the ability to whisk!!

So when you feel like being young again, forget the Botox, the butt implants and the puffy Goldie Hawn lips. Just turn left at the pudding aisle!

Pistachio Dessert
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Crust:
1 cup butter (or margarine)
2 cups flour

Cut butter into flour. Pat into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes until golden brown; cool.

Filling:
8 oz pkg of cream cheese (I use light)
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup of Cool Whip

Mix above ingredients together a spread carefully over cooled crust.

Beat 2 packages of instant Pistachio pudding and 2 1/2 cups of milk together and pour over cream cheese layer. Top with more Cool Whip. Just before serving, garnish with toasted almonds. Cut into squares and serve!! YUM!