Banana Espresso Pudding Food

SOUTHERN BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• Heat 2 1/2 cups of the milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
• Whisk 3/4 cup of the sugar, the cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk.
• Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until smooth, and then gradually whisk the egg-milk mixture into the milk in the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and let the mixture come to a simmer. Continue to cook, whisking constantly, until it has thickened to a puddinglike consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla.
• Layer a third of the pudding, half the banana slices and half the vanilla wafers in a 9-inch square baking dish. Layer with half the remaining pudding, all the remaining banana slices and all the remaining wafers. Top with the last of the pudding. Cover with plastic wrap pressed directly on the pudding surface, and refrigerate overnight to soften the cookies.
• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bring the egg whites to room temperature. Beat the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium speed until frothy. Increase the speed to medium-high, and slowly sprinkle in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar a tablespoon at a time, whipping for 15 seconds after each addition, until glossy firm peaks form. Spread the meringue on top of the pudding with an offset spatula so it reaches the edges of the pan. Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

BANANA PUDDING TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Heat 4 cups of the milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until steaming. Whisk the sugar, cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a large bowl; whisk in the egg yolks and the remaining 1/2 cup milk. Whisk half of the hot milk into the egg mixture until smooth, and then gradually whisk the egg mixture back into the pan. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture boils. Once it boils, continue to whisk over medium heat until it has thickened to a pudding-like consistency, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mascarpone cheese until melted. Transfer to a bowl or baking dish (a 9- by 13-inch baking dish will speed up the cooling process) and cool slightly, stirring a few times to prevent a skin from forming. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pudding and refrigerate until completely cooled and thickened, about 2 hours.
• To assemble, loosen the chilled pudding by whisking it vigorously until smooth and creamy. Stir the espresso and coffee liqueur together in a small bowl. Dip some vanilla wafers in the espresso mixture, soaking completely for a couple of seconds. Stand the soaked cookies around the bottom of a 3-quart trifle dish to make a decorative ring.
• Dip more vanilla wafers and stack two layers of soaked cookies on the bottom of the dish within the ring of standing cookies. Spoon 2 cups of pudding on top of the cookies. Smooth the pudding to the edge of the dish with a small spatula. Layer half of the banana slices evenly over the pudding. Repeat with two more layers of soaked cookies, 2 cups of pudding and the remaining bananas.
• Top with the remaining cookies and then the remaining pudding. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pudding. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Lightly dust with unsweetened cocoa powder just before serving.

BANANA ESPRESSO BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325°F.
• Arrange bread in 2 layers in a 2-quart (8-inch square) baking dish.
• Whisk together half-and-half, yolks, 3/4 cup sugar, and espresso powder, then pour over bread and soak 10 minutes.
• Cook bananas in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, turning over once, until golden brown, about 6 minutes total. Lay bananas, cut sides up, over bread and sprinkle evenly with remaining tablespoon sugar. Bake, uncovered, until custard is set, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Serve warm.