Banana Pudding (Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004 - Cooking Light)

== Description ==
Source: Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004 - Cooking Light Magazine
This pudding has a mile-high meringue and will easily feed a crowd. Although we think using a vanilla bean infuses superior flavor, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; stir it into the cooked custard.
== Ingredients ==
* 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 cups sugar, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
* 1 (4-inch) vanilla bean, split lengthwise
* 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
* 8 large egg whites
* 80 vanilla wafers (about 1 [12-ounce] box)
* 5 cups sliced banana (about 6 bananas)
== Directions ==
# Preheat oven to 325°.
# Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.
# Combine flour, 1 1/4 cups sugar, and salt in a large saucepan; stir with a whisk.
# Gradually add milk; stir until smooth.
# Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; add seeds and bean to milk mixture.
# Cook over medium heat 12 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly.
# Place eggs in a large bowl, and gradually add hot mixture, stirring constantly.
# Place mixture in pan; cook over medium heat 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly.
# Discard vanilla bean.
# Place egg whites in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy.
# Add 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.
# Arrange half of vanilla wafers in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
# Arrange half of banana slices over wafers.
# Pour half of custard over banana.
# Repeat procedure with remaining wafers, banana, and custard.
# Top with meringue, spreading evenly to edges of dish.
# Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
# Serve pudding warm or chilled.
Yield: 16 servings (serving size: about 3/4 cup)
Category:American Recipes
Category:American Desserts
Category:Dessert Recipes
Category:Pudding Recipes
Category:Low-calorie Recipes
Category:Low-fat Recipes
Category:Healthy Recipes
Category:Healthy Desserts
Category:Flour Recipes
Category:Sugar Recipes
Category:Salt Recipes
Category:Milk and cream Recipes
Category:Milk Recipes
Category:Vanilla Recipes
Category:Vanilla bean Recipes
Category:Egg Recipes
Category:Egg white Recipes
Category:Vanilla wafer Recipes
Category:Banana Recipes
Category:Banana Desserts