"Banana Pudding" by Kiyah B

 

“What's this mommy?” was a question that I never ceased to ask as a young girl. Once I entered the world of the kitchen, my curiosity only skyrocketed and I found myself more interested in the purpose of each tool, rather than cooking food. However, I became an expert at cooking (only) a handful of dishes. But, I did not learn how to make banana pudding until recently. The recipe is actually simple and quick. It has somehow become a family tradition, passed down through each generation. It began with my great grandma, she passed it down to my great aunt, who then passed it down to my mom, and my mom passed it down to my sister and I. Although I've only made it a few times, I hope to pass it down to my kids as well.

The dish is most commonly eaten on Thanksgiving, along with many other desserts. The dish holds a special place in my heart because of the memories that it holds. My fondest memories reside in rushing to the dessert table to get another bowl of banana pudding, despite how overstuffed I felt-- or sneaking home a bowl full of it before leaving. My sister and I would even fight over who would have the last spoonful of banana pudding. It reminds me of the rush of adrenaline my cousins and I felt when our parents placed the desserts on the table. Most importantly, this dish reminds me of the Thanksgiving nights that were always full of entertainment and laughter. After all, food plays a large role in integrating my family. Ingredients

 

●     1 package of Nilla Wafers (one package is usually 11 ounces, I buy 2 packages just in case I run out)

●     One package instant vanilla pudding mix (5 ounce)

●     Two cups of milk

●     One can of sweetened condensed milk (14 ounce)

●     1 Cool Whip (or Whipped topping)

●     Vanilla extract (around 1 tablespoon)

●     fresh bananas. I usually use 6 medium sized bananas, but the amount you need depends on the size of your bananas and the thickness of your slices. (if you don't like bananas, they don't have to be used/if you don't like banana flavored foods then you probably

            won't like this dish)

 

Tools:

●     2 Bowls: One bowl is needed for the bananas. The other is needed for serving the dish. It can be large glass bowls, plastic bowls, etc.

●     Mixing bowl

●     Electric Mixer

 

 

1.      First, you should slice the bananas and place them in their own bowl. Your slices can be thin or thick, there is no specific size needed.

2.      Then, in your large mixing bowl mix the condensed milk, pudding mix, and milk with an electric mixer. You can attach a whisk or paddle to the mixer. I recommend keeping the mixer at a lower speed to avoid the ingredients from flying everywhere.

3.      Then add vanilla extract and continue stirring until the mixture is smooth--with no lumps. This usually takes a few minutes.

4.      Add half of the Cool Whip and mix it in.

5.      Once the mixture is smooth, let it set for a few minutes.

6.      After it is set, you should start layering the dish. The first layer is wafers, the second layer is bananas, and the third layer is the pudding mixture.

7.      First, place the vanilla wafers at the bottom of the glass or plastic bowl. Only place about a third of the vanilla wafers on the bottom because you will be using them again.

8.      Next, place some of the banana slices on top of the wafers.

9.      Then, pour the pudding mixture on top of the bananas. I would make sure it covers all the bananas. Do not add the whole pudding mixture because you will use it again.

10.  Now you will continue to do your next layers. So, you place the vanilla wafers, then the banana slices, then the layer of pudding mixture.

11.  After the final layer (the pudding mixture), I usually top it off with another row of wafers and I also add the rest of the Cool Whip to the top. It is also possible to add more layers, it just depends on the amount of people you are serving and their preferences. (if you are not using bananas, then your first layer would be Nilla wafers and the second layer would be the pudding mixture--and so on and so forth--after your final layer you would still add wafers and Cool Whip to the top)

12.  Place in the refrigerator until chilled. Chilling the pudding allows the wafers to become soft and it also thickens the pudding, it usually takes about thirty minutes to four hours depending on how thick you want your pudding.

13.  Once it is cooled, it is ready to be served.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits to: https://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/easy-banana-pudding/