Now, here’s a quintessential southern comfort food – Banana Pudding.  The recipe is straight off the box of Nabisco’s Nilla Wafers.  Makes a great banana pudding!

Yield:  8 Servings

INGREDIENTS

¾ cup granulated sugar, divided

1/3 cup all purpose flour

Dash of salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups milk

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

45 Nilla wafers, divided

5 ripe bananas, sliced (about 3 ½ cups), divided.  Additional Nilla wafers and banana slices for garnish.

PREPARATION

Mix ½ cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler.  Blend in 3 egg yolks and milk.  Cook, uncovered over boiling water, stirring constantly for 10-12 minutes or until thickened.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Reserve 10 wafers for garnish.  Spread small amount of custard on bottom of 1-1/2 quart casserole; cover with layer of wafers and a layer of sliced bananas.  Pour about 1/3 of custard over the bananas.  Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make a total of 3 layers of each, ending with the custard.

Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar and beat until stiff, but not dry.  Spoon on top of pudding, spreading evenly to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges.

Bake at 350 degree F in top half of oven for 15-20 minutes or until browned.  Cool slightly or refrigerate.  Garnish slices just before serving.