Banana Pudding "Pie"



Little blast from the past: Gabe & Ben in November 2009

 In our first ever gluten free Thanksgiving, I am testing and saving recipes to use for years to come. It's a little bittersweet, giving up the old traditions (good bye pie crust and rolls), but it feels good to know that I'm giving the boys treats that are better for them. Plus since we all tend to have intestinal issues when exposed to gluten now, it's a big plus to know we aren't going to spend the hours after our feast feeling terrible and dealing with clean-up-on-aisle-twelve!

One thing my hubby loves at the holidays is Banana Cream Pie. That was an easy enough fix - just ditch the crust. But since we are avoiding processed foods too (gluten contamination, too many chemicals), we wanted to make the "pie" from scratch. I pulled together a couple of recipes, and came up with this. Thank you to Paula Deen for the addition of the butter...yum-o! Now if we can quit "testing" the pie, maybe there will still be some left after dinner!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup coconut sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot

3 cups whole milk or half n half

4 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces (1/2 stick) pastured, cultured butter

4 medium bananas, squashed (or pureed)

2 medium bananas, sliced

Mix together sugar and starch then slowly blend in the milk. This probably should be cooked in the top of a double boiler, but I cooked it over very low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens a lot--do not leave it unattended (especially at the end). Slightly beat egg yolks and temper with a small amount of the hot custard; stir well. Blend egg mixture into custard pot and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter plus 2 of the squished bananas.  I always let the boys squish bananas in baggies so they are "helping". Let cool. Lay sliced bananas in the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate or baking dish. Top with the squished bananas - like a banana crust! Pour in custard and let set in the fridge. Add whipped topping for serving, if desired.