Cooking is All the Rage: Spiced Honey Banana Cream Pie
As a child, I viewed anger as a forbidden emotion—something to be completely avoided in order to prevent a bitter taste in my life. I attempted to suppress it, bottling up those intense feelings as if sealing them away would make them vanish. Yet, much like an overripe banana left on the counter, anger finds a way to resurface, demanding attention in its own, often messy, manner.
It took me years to understand that ignoring anger is ineffective. Denying it only grants anger more power, akin to letting a pot boil over because you refused to lower the heat. Ironically, the relief that comes from embracing anger can often be more soothing than the emotion itself.
So, where do we begin? Mindfulness teaches us to allow raw emotions, such as anger, to soften through kind and compassionate attention. Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh likens anger to a raw potato: bite into it, and it tastes bitter and unpleasant. But when given space to cook, the heat transforms it, softening that bitterness into something nourishing. This gives us the hope that even the most intense emotions can be transformed.
At first glance, it sounds simple—just cook the potato. Yet, we often complicate matters. We find ourselves at the table, biting into the raw potato, complaining to our company, blaming the waiter, and demanding to speak to the chef. However, we are the cooks in our own lives, and it’s essential to take the time to sit with ourselves. When we learn to truly listen to our feelings, recognize our reactive patterns, and sit patiently with discomfort, we can transform raw emotions into something more palatable, empowering ourselves to take control of our emotional responses.
I practice this in the kitchen, blending anger with my creativity. I smash cookies for the crust with intent, whisk the custard with purpose, and layer bananas with care, just as I do with my emotions. By the time the pie is ready, my anger is also transformed—it's not gone, but softened and turned into something sweet and nourishing. Anger, like any emotion, isn’t inherently bad. With time, patience, and mindful attention, it can be transmuted into energy that serves us, guiding us toward understanding and compassion—just as a raw potato, when cooked, becomes the meal we need.
The Spiced Honey Banana Cream Pie invites you to channel your frustration into a creative & cathartic process.
Smash those speculoos cookies with gusto to form a buttery, honey-kissed crust—every crunch a release of pent-up energy. As the custard thickens with your constant stirring, let the rhythmic motion calm your mind.
Slicing bananas with precision provides focus, while the warm spices of cinnamon and cardamom in the filling soothe fiery emotions, grounding you with their comforting aromas. Layering each component—bananas, custard, and whipped cream—offers a chance to organize and rebuild, just as you process your emotions.
Finally, garnishing the pie with a drizzle of honey and vibrant touches like toasted coconut or crystallized ginger reminds you that even in anger, there’s room for creativity and sweetness. Each bite offers a reward for your efforts, blending warmth and richness that mirrors the transformation from anger to calm.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sounds like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest.
Ingredients:
Crust
1 ½ cups speculoos cookies (like Biscoff), crushed
5 tbsp salted butter, melted
1 tbsp honey
Custard Filling
2 cups whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
4 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cardamom
2 tbsp honey
Banana Layer
3 large ripe bananas, sliced
1 tbsp fresh lime juice (to prevent browning and add a zesty twist)
Whipped Cream Topping
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla bean paste
Pinch of cinnamon
Optional Garnishes
Crystallized ginger, finely chopped
Honey drizzle
Toasted coconut flakes
Instructions:
Anger Exercise: Setting the Intention:
Before diving into the recipe, take a moment to connect with your anger and set an intention to transform it into something nourishing—both emotionally and physically. This exercise will help you channel your emotions into the process of creating the pie, turning frustration into focus and creativity.
Find a quiet spot in your kitchen. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths.
Ask yourself: What am I angry about? Where do I feel this anger in my body? Name your anger. For example: I am angry because I felt ignored in that meeting.
Remind yourself: It’s okay to feel this way. Anger is a natural and valid response. Notice without judgment—just observe the sensations, whether it’s tension in your shoulders, heat in your chest, or a tightness in your jaw.
Reflect on how you want to use this energy. Anger holds power—how might you redirect it?
Say to yourself: I choose to use this energy creatively. I will transform this emotion into something beautiful. If your anger flares up again, pause, take a deep breath, and return to your intention.
Prepare the Crust & Channel Anger Physically:
Channel your anger physically. Take out your ingredients and start with the crust. Smash those cookies with purpose—let your frustration out!
Notice how the act of breaking something down can feel liberating and satisfying.
Crushing the speculoos cookies is a cathartic and grounding experience—a tactile release for pent-up emotions. As you press down and hear the satisfying crunch, imagine your frustrations breaking apart, each shard of cookie representing a piece of anger being transformed. The sweet, spiced aroma wafts up, a reminder that even in moments of intensity, there is potential for warmth and sweetness.
Combine crushed speculoos cookies with melted butter and honey in a bowl. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan. Chill in the freezer for 15 minutes to set.
Make the Custard Filling:
In a saucepan, whisk milk, heavy cream, sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 7–10 minutes). As you move through the recipe, let each step mirror the softening of your emotions. Stir the custard with care and focus, layer the bananas with intention, and allow the act of creation to soothe your mind.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, cardamom, and honey. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool to room temperature.
Assemble the Pie:
As you layer the bananas and custard, think of this step as building a bridge between your raw emotions and a more balanced state. Each layer represents a part of your process:
Arrange a layer of banana slices on the crust, brushing lightly with lime juice. These are your emotions as they are—raw and real, but foundational. Lay them down with intention, acknowledging each feeling without judgment.
Pour half the custard over the bananas, smoothing with a spatula. This is the soothing balm of compassion and understanding. Gently spread it over the bananas, visualizing how kindness and patience can envelop your anger, softening its edges.
Add another layer of bananas and the remaining custard.Notice how each layer supports and complements the other. Just as the pie becomes richer with every addition, your emotional landscape deepens as you honor and integrate your feelings.
Take a moment with each layer. Ask yourself: What have I learned from this anger? How might I build upon this emotion to create something meaningful? By the end, you’ve turned something raw and chaotic into something harmonious and whole.
Chill:
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set. As the pie chills, take this opportunity to pause, just as your emotions need time to settle and transform. Think of this as the cooling phase for both your dessert and your mind.
Sit with Your Anger: Find a comfortable spot and take a few deep breaths. Reflect on how your anger feels now compared to when you started. Has it softened or shifted in some way?
Practice Mindful Observation: Just as the pie needs time to firm up, your emotions require patience. Ask yourself: What does this anger want to tell me? What boundaries or values does it highlight?
Envision Renewal: Visualize your anger cooling and settling into clarity and purpose, much like the pie transforming into its final, delicious state.
This step reminds us that change takes time. Allowing space for rest and reflection can turn raw emotions into something steady, balanced, and ready to nourish us.
Prepare the Whipped Cream:
In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, and cinnamon until soft peaks form. As you whip the cream into soft peaks, think of it as the final transformation of your anger—light, airy, and no longer heavy to carry. Each stroke of the whisk (or turn of the mixer) is an act of release, lifting the dense weight of raw emotion into something soft and approachable.
Building Lightness: Imagine that with every swirl, you’re infusing your emotions with lightness and perspective. What once felt overwhelming now feels manageable, even delicate.
Taste the Sweetness: When you add the sugar, reflect on the sweetness that can come from embracing your emotions rather than avoiding them. Anger, when processed, often leaves behind clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.
The Finishing Touch: As you dollop or pipe the cream onto the pie, think of it as adding grace to your experience. Your anger has been acknowledged, softened, and transformed—this is the reward for your patience and effort.
The whipped cream is the final layer of care, reminding you that even the heaviest emotions can become light when met with compassion and attention.
Decorate & Garnish
Spread or pipe whipped cream over the pie.
The decoration of the pie is your opportunity to reflect on and honor the journey of processing your anger. It’s the finishing touch—a celebration of transformation and care.
Drizzle with Purpose: Whether it’s honey, caramel, chocolate, or a sprinkle of cinnamon, let each garnish represent the wisdom and clarity you’ve gained. Imagine the drizzle as the threads connecting your raw emotions to your newfound understanding.
Add Texture: Add some toasted coconut, crystallized ginger, nuts, or crumble some leftover speculoos cookies on top, symbolizing how even the broken pieces of our emotions can add richness and depth to our experiences.
Arrange with Intention: If using banana slices or other toppings, arrange them mindfully. Let this act mirror your ability to bring order and beauty to what once felt chaotic.
Serve & Enjoy:
Step back and admire your creation. This isn’t just a pie—it’s a reflection of your emotional work, a tangible reminder of how patience, mindfulness, and creativity can transform even the rawest emotions into something nourishing and beautiful.
Slice and serve chilled. The spices and honey create a warm, unique flavor profile that balances beautifully with the creamy banana filling!
