Crave Wednesday: Mocha Banana Split

When we returned home from Arizona we had just enough time to take in a show and head to our annual Seder on the first night of Passover.

And then we were back on a plane again.  This time up to the inlaws for Easter.

Easter festivities in our area are really limited to Easter weekend, which we are never around for.  And the inlaws don't really partake in any Easter festivities, so my children haven't ever actually met the Easter Bunny.  I can't even begin to tell you the excitement that ushered forth from the boys when we deplaned and found him sitting RIGHT IN THE TERMINAL!

From the airport we headed over to TMIL's house where we died some eggs.  Dying eggs with toddlers means you get a LOT of cracked eggs.  Which is how we found out TMIL didn't actually hard boil these eggs.  Just kinda warmed them up a bit in the water.

It's always difficult to entertain the boys while we're at the inlaws house and so the day seemed to drag by until dinner was served.  Once again the idea of Passover seemed to be completely missed by the inlaws, as it is every year, but at least there was meat for the kids to eat.

We brought them back to the hotel for bed and it was only slightly less difficult than at Christmas.  But eventually they slept.  And while they slept, the Easter Bunny visited.

The boys woke up delighted by their candy and treats.  Eventually we were able to convince them to put on their Easter finery.

Back to the inlaws.  Easter day is probably the hardest for the kids, because only one meal is served - a kind of mid day "feast" of lasagna.  No breakfast, no dinner.  And lasagna isn't exactly Passover friendly. Which means in years past, my children have had nothing to eat.  This year we played it safe by getting them eggs and bacon for breakfast at the hotel, so they'd have one guaranteed meal for the day.  Thatboy asked his brother to make sure there was something the kids could eat, which completely threw his brother for a loop - gosh we were so difficult!  He got TSIL's sister to bring some chicken....around 2pm in the afternoon.  Luckily I had thought ahead enough to have the kids bring some Easter candy with them, so while everyone else ate lasagna, my boys ate Peeps.  They were so excited when the chicken finally arrived - they devoured it.

TSIL is always in charge of the egghunt.  Except this year she couldn't find her plastic eggs.  So she planned on us searching for mangoes instead.  Thank goodness for her sister, who brought eggs for the kids to find!

And the eggs were filled with stickers, tattoos, and stamps - a HUGE upgrade from previous years.  I hope she permanently takes this job over.

We left a little early and went back to the hotel.  Thatbaby was supposed to be in bed early, but instead he ended up staying up late to watch Jesus Christ Superstar Live with the rest of the family.  He fell asleep before the end of the first act.  Thatkid fell asleep with the rest of the apostles. 

We spent the next morning with TMIL before heading back home.  It's always a trying weekend, and I am always glad to be home.  And deserving of a treat.  What I REALLY wanted was a cupcake.  But Passover and all that meant my treat had to be less....full of flour.  So ice cream it is.  I told you there's a lot of ice cream during Passover.  And this banana split is totally decadent.  Totally a way of rewarding yourself for surviving a rough, busy week.  The coffee ice cream, espresso whipped cream, and chocolate covered espresso beans probably aren't the best idea for right before bed - so make this a breakfast treat.  It'll help you get through the rest of the week!

Mocha Banana Split (From Cooking Light)

1 Tbsp whipping cream

1/2 tsp instant espresso

1 banana peeled and cut in half cross-wise

1/2 cup low fat coffee ice cream

1/2 cup low fat chocolate ice cream

4 tsp chocolate syrup

4 tsp chopped walnuts, toasted

4 tsp chocolate covered espresso beans, chopped

2 cherries

1. Place whipping cream and espresso granules in an electric mixer fitted with a whisk.  Whisk until soft peaks form.
2.  Cut each banana in half lengthwise.  Place 2 banana quarters in each of 2 bowls.
3. Top each serving with 1/4 cup coffee ice cream and 1/4 cup chocolate ice cream.
4. Drizzle each serving with 2 tsp chocolate syrup and half of whipped cream mixture.
5. Sprinkle each serving with 2 tsp walnuts and 2 tsp espresso beans.
6. Top each with a cherry.