Ingredients
2 large boxes of Vanilla Jell-O Cook & Serve Pudding & Pie Filling
1 quart of half-and-half
six eggs
1/2 cup (or so) of milk
1 bunch of ripe bananas
1 box of vanilla wafers
Place a layer of vanilla wafers on the bottom of a rectangular baking pan, using about 40% of the box. Slice 2/3 of the bananas 1/2 inch thick or so evenly on top of the wafers. Put wafers vertically around the perimeter of the pan, as shown, about 20% of the box.
Put the vanilla pudding powder in a mixing bowl. beat in the eggs using an electric beater to a uniform consistency. Pour in the half-and-half and beat the mixture so that it is uniform and not lumpy. Pour in a little bit of regular milk to get it up to six cups.
Pour the mixture into the top of a double boiler, stir constantly until it comes to a full boil so it does not get lumpy or burn. You may need to put the top pan directly on the burner at the end to get it to a full boil, stir constantly and use a low flame so you don’t burn any on the bottom.
Pour about half of the pudding evenly over the first layer of wafers and bananas.
Put another layer of wafers, about 30% of the box, on top of the poured pudding, and then the rest of the bananas. Pour the rest of the pudding on top of that.
Crush the remaining wafers (10%) inside the bag with the heel of your hand, and sprinkle over the top.
Cool in refrigerator, several hours or overnight.
Serve as is, or with whipped cream.
The idea here is for the hot pudding to dissolve the crackers into a sort of crust or paste.
The use of half-and-half and eggs is to make the pudding very rich and almost custardy.
This is not a diet dish. Make it as fatty as directed, or don’t bother.
This is a traditional Southern / Black dessert frequently found in soul food or barbecue places.
One of my neighbors has a Super Bowl party, and he usually has ribs or chicken or similar stuff, so I bring this.
My version is the result of trial and error, and it works well.
(This recipe is posted at the request of Dan from Madison.)
As Jonathan says, this is news I can use. I think I will add the Dan from Madison variant and finish it with a bit of cognac or maybe Grand Marnier.
Lex has many talents. I’ve been using his pizza dough recipe for years.
straight up rum; rum goes with vanilla … or bourbon, the ‘nawlins’ version of bananas foster …