BIG-BATCH BANANA PUDDING

Mealtime at my mama’s and daddy’s family homes were each different. My mama’s family invited guests for dinner, while in my daddy’s family whoever showed up was invited to eat. My mama tells the story of going to Sunday dinner at my daddy’s house when they were dating. Amazed at the number around the table, she went back home and described the whole scene to her mother—including the gigantic bowl of banana pudding served at the end of dinner. Grams commented, “Why, that’s not a bowl—that’s a foot tub!”

Makes 10 to 12 servings

2 CUPS SUGAR

6 HEAPING TABLESPOONS SELF-RISING FLOUR

ONE 12-OUNCE CAN EVAPORATED MILK

4 EGG YOLKS PLUS 3 EGG WHITES

4 CUPS HOT WATER

2 PINCHES OF SALT

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT

ONE 11-OUNCE BOX VANILLA WAFERS

3 OR 4 BANANAS, CUT INTO ¼-INCH-THICK ROUNDS

ONE 7-OUNCE JAR MARSHMALLOW CRÈME

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F.

2. Combine the sugar, flour, and ½ can of evaporated milk in a large saucepan. Mix well. Add remaining evaporated milk and egg yolks. Slowly stir in the hot water. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from the heat and add a pinch of salt and the vanilla.

3. Meanwhile, line the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with the vanilla wafers. Then top with sliced bananas in an even layer.

4. Pour the pudding over the wafers and bananas.

5. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and a pinch of salt to soft peaks. Add the marshmallow crème and beat to stiff peaks.

6. Evenly spread the meringue over the pudding and bake until the meringue is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Let the pudding cool and set for 15 minutes before serving.

SOUTHERN SIMPLE: Forget about scorching and get this pudding made quickly by mixing the sugar, flour, evaporated milk, hot water, and egg yolks in a large microwave-safe mixing bowl and cooking in the microwave. Cook the pudding on HIGH for 5 minutes. Stir and check for a thick consistency. Repeat, if necessary, cooking on HIGH in 3-minute increments until the desired thickness is reached. Remove from the microwave and stir in the vanilla and a pinch of salt.