dessert for dinner

first, for those that know me well...it is no surprise that i am writing a blog about my favorite desserts of all time.  and, for those that know me really well...it is a huge surprise that i am using modern technology to do this :)  with that being said, i am dedicating this blog to my husband, jeremy and dear friends john and katherine who have encouraged me to do this as "a recipe" (i couldn't resist) for my friends to find the best desserts, nationwide.  unlike a sommelier, i do not share their tried and true testing approach... i finish the dessert in it's entirety...unless of course it is not worth eating, in which case it will not make it to the highly regarded ranking of "joannasweettooth.blogspot.com" :)

now, many categories of desserts are worth receiving honorable mentions, if not full feature articles....of course the major "c's" (cakes, cookies, candy) as well as brownies, pies, puddings, etc.  and, i can't help but play favorites... or "un-favorites".  walnuts, peanuts and pecans have a wonderful place in the world of salads, snacks and other food courses, however, i will never love them or willingly choose them to a be a welcomed part of any dessert.  sorry, for all you walnut-brownie lovers or those who think the best dessert of all time is a sundae with "the works".  we disagree on this one.  and, please don't entirely discount my sweet tooth if you are dabbler or faithful follower of tiramisu.  i just simply don't understand the craze over the soaked lady fingers.  

now, it is very hard for me to narrow my all-time-favorites down to one.  so, i won't;  instead, i will begin this blog with a whopping two... of my all time favorites, one from each coast.

gjelina (in venice, california) 

has the single most amazing butterscotch pots-de-creme/pudding of all time.  no, seriously. the. best. of. all. time.  imagine a creamy butterscotch pudding taking you way back to the comfort flavors of your 5th grade lunch box but with an oscar winning twist of sea salt sprinkled on top, to make all of the sweet and salty flavors soar together.  even those who used to turn their nose up to the thought of the butterscotch flavor (not mentioning any names) sing the praise of this creation.  

crooks corner (in chapel hill, north carolina)

those that are from here can finish my sentence..."the _____ _____  at crooks corner is worth sacrificing my left arm".  yep, banana pudding.  this simple southern treat is more than hard to beat.  it is a two or three nights in a row kinda ending to your day.  the proportions of pudding, wafers, banana allow for each bite to vary enough and encourage the next one to be slightly different again.  as if i need an encouragement to eat another bite :)

thanks for trusting my sweet tooth/dessert palate (or at least reading my most fav desserts, worthy of altering your regular dinner order)...more to come.