BANANA PUDDING VANILLA WAFERS RECIPES

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler.
• Stir in 4 egg yolks and milk; blend well.
• Cook, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly until thickened.
• Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat; add vanilla.
• Spread small amount on bottom of 1 1/2 quart casserole; cover with layer of Nilla Wafers. Top with layer of sliced bananas.
• Pour about 1/3 of the custard over bananas. Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make 3 layers each, ending with custard.
• Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon on top of pudding, spreading to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges.
• Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes or until delicately browned.
• Cool slightly or chill.
• Just before serving, garnish with banana slices, then stand Nilla Wafers upright around edge of dish.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Heat the milk in a medium saucepan to a simmer over medium heat. In a second medium saucepan, whisk the egg yolks with 3/4 cup of the sugar until thick and light. Stir in the flour and salt to make a smooth paste. 
• Whisk the scalded milk into the egg mixture, blend well and then return the pan to gentle heat. (Make sure the cream is perfectly smooth before letting it boil!) Whisk until boiling. Continue to cook the cream, whisking constantly, until thick and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine. Strain the pastry cream into a bowl; set aside. 
• Place a layer of the vanilla wafers all over the bottom of a medium baking dish (9-by-13-inch). Spread half of the reserved pastry cream on top of the wafers. Place the bananas evenly over the pastry cream in the baking dish. Top with a second layer of wafers. Spoon the remaining pastry cream over the wafers; set aside. 
• In a heavy-duty mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, a little at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Spoon the meringue over the pastry cream and spread evenly to cover the entire surface, sealing well at the edges. Using a spatula, make curls and peaks in the meringue. 
• Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool slightly. Serve immediately, warm or cold.