Southern Banana Pudding

My niece Emily, her husband Todd and baby girl Piper, were in from Alabama this past week!  Everything we do in our family tends to revolve around our next meal!  (We know our faults...no apologies, lol!!)  Their last night here was Saturday so my sister-in-law wanted to throw together a nice supper before they left and my job was to bring the dessert.  I really procrastinated and about an hour before we were supposed to be there I decided I would make Banana Pudding...yummm!!  Todd loves Banana Pudding and I was craving it so perfect choice...right?!  Problem...no vanilla wafers, eggs, whole milk, sugar, bananas!  Solution:  Send my husband to the store!  He really hates to go to the grocery store but I didn't have any makeup on so he drew the short straw this time around!  I have been using this recipe for 20 something years.  It came out of Southern Living 1982 Annual Recipes, page 53 (full of great recipes).  I leave off the meringue because I don't really care for it....surely that is a whole lot of calories left out!  I absolutely love, love, love this recipe.  I know sometimes it is easier to use a package of vanilla pudding BUT this pudding is so easy to make and it makes all the difference when it comes to taste.  It is one of my very favorite southern desserts!!!  I wish I would've thought to put it in mason jars...how great would that have looked!  Next time!!

SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING

3-1/2  tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/3  cups sugar

dash of salt

3 egg yolks

3 cups of whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 boxes of vanilla wafers  (the recipe only calls for one box but I love a lot of wafers)

6  medium bananas

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in heavy saucepan.  Beat egg yolks; combine egg yolks and milk, mixing well. Stir into dry ingredients; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened.  Remove from heat; stir in the vanilla.

Layer one-third of the vanilla wafers in a 4 quart baking dish.  Slice 2 bananas; layer over wafers.  Pour one-third of the filling over bananas. Repeat layers twice.  Yield: 10 servings

Todd, Emily and sweet little Piper