Banana Pudding (Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004 - Cooking Light)

Description

Source: Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004 - Cooking Light Magazine

This pudding has a mile-high meringue and will easily feed a crowd. Although we think using a vanilla bean infuses superior flavor, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; stir it into the cooked custard.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1 (4-inch) vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 8 large egg whites
• 80 vanilla wafers (about 1 [12-ounce] box)
• 5 cups sliced banana (about 6 bananas)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°.
2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.
3. Combine flour, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and salt in a large saucepan; stir with a whisk.
4. Gradually add milk; stir until smooth.
5. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; add seeds and bean to milk mixture.
6. Cook over medium heat 12 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly.
7. Place eggs in a large bowl, and gradually add hot mixture, stirring constantly.
8. Place mixture in pan; cook over medium heat 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly.
9. Discard vanilla bean.
10. Place egg whites in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy.
11. Add 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.
12. Arrange half of vanilla wafers in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
13. Arrange half of banana slices over wafers.
14. Pour half of custard over banana.
15. Repeat procedure with remaining wafers, banana, and custard.
16. Top with meringue, spreading evenly to edges of dish.
17. Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
18. Serve pudding warm or chilled.

Yield: 16 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup)