Who knew banana pudding was such an elemental recipe? And who are we to argue. Grab a spoon and go!
Open the door of our fridges in the heat of summer and you are sure to find this short-cut sweetener for any cold drink. Made from sugar and water heated together until the sugar is entirely dissolved, the syrup means no more sugar grains whirling around the bottom of your glass. Feel free to doctor this syrup with other flavors. Add a slice of ginger, a sprig of fresh lemon verbena, basil, or even the spice of peppercorns. Each addition will take the syrup to a new place. Stores covered and refrigerated indefinitely.
Because the quality of this drink depends on the quality of the fruit, buy a ripe, deep colored watermelon in season.
The juicy crushed berries make a nice spread with bread, and a delicious filling for cake. But this kind of sweet preserve also has a place on the dinner table.