If you are reading this and you are a grandmother, you know who is most fond of you. Your grands! I had always been told my life would change when I became a grandmother. I kind of blew the thought off as my life was busy with so many other things.
Then HE arrived....tiny, with a scrunchy face, little fingers that would hold on to any finger he could grab. We laughed as an aunt said that he looked like a pickle with a hat in one of his early photos. He took my heart the moment I saw him. Well, this little pickle is now 8 years old. We have spent much time together as he and his mom lived with me the first year of his life. Grandparents have a wonderful job...all we have to do is show up and love our grands. It is the best job ever.
His absolutely favorite dessert is my Banana Pudding. He wants it whenever he is coming over for dinner; for the last two birthdays his cake request was Banana Pudding...which of course he got! Many people make banana budding with the Jello pudding recipe. I make mine from scratch. It isn't difficult once you try it and it is so yummy.
I have a double boiler which is important when slowly cooking a custard, pudding or even chocolate squares. If you don't have a double boiler, then fill a pot with 1 cup of water and place a pyrex bowl on top that fits securely so that no steam escapes.
Ingredients: 1⁄3 cup of flour Dash of salt 2 1/2 cups 2% milk 1 can condensed milk
2 egg yolks 2 tsp vanilla 1-2 cups sliced bananas 30-40 vanilla wafers
Pyrex bowl
The Stages of Making Banana Pudding
Directions
Combine flour, and salt in pyrex bowl or the top pan of the double boiler. I do not place the pan with the flour and salt over the boiling water yet. Add 1-2 cups of water into the pan and bring it to a boil. While waiting for the water to boil. Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl.
Measure 2 cups of milk into a glass measuring cup and microwave for 2 minutes to warm the milk which will speed the cooking process.
I take 1/4c. of the warm milk and slowly beat it into the beaten egg yolks. This will prevent the eggs from cooking when you add the eggs into the milk and flour mix once it is on the stove.
Add the remaining milk slowly into the flour and salt using a whisk to stir constantly so the mixture doesn't have lumps. Then, place the bowl with the flour, salt, and milk mixture onto the pan with the boiling water on the stove.
While staring with a whisk add in the condensed milk and the beaten egg yolk with milk. Continue to stir over medium heat for about 6-7 minutes or until thickened. Add the vanilla. As it cools in the refrigerator it will thicken more.
With your pyrex bowl put a small amount of pudding on the bottom of the bowl first. Add vanilla wafers, then thinly sliced bananas on top, and a cup of pudding to cover. Repeat this process two or three more times.
If you love meringue
* Optional topping for the banana pudding - Meringue 4 egg whites 1⁄4 cup sugar
Prep Eggs. Using chilled eggs, separate the egg yolk from the egg whites.
Optional: Add cream of tartar (about 1/8 teaspoon per egg white), 2 Tbls. sugar for each egg white
Using an electric mixer, start beating the egg whites on medium until they expand in volume and soft peaks form. Then, switch to high speed, adding sugar very gradually, about a tablespoon at a time. They are ready when they are glossy and hold a firm peak that doesn't fold back onto itself.
Spoon the meringue over the pudding creating peaks and bake at 325° for about 15 minutes until the meringue tips are golden brown. Allow the pudding to cool before refrigerating.
You can also whip cream with some sugar until it is thick with a peak!