Banana Pudding

(From Everyday Food, April 07, pg. 135)

2/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 t. salt
2 1/2 cups of milk
4 large egg yolks
2 T. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 t. pure vanilla extract (or 2 t. imitation vanilla)
3 ripe bananas
Vanilla wafers
Cool whip

Have a fine mesh sieve over medium bowl ready.

In medium saucepan off heat, mix sugar, cornstarch, salt. Gradually whisk in milk; add egg yolks.

Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat until thickened and 1st large bubble sputters (it takes a while:) Reduce heat to low and boil one minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and pour pudding through sieve. Stir in butter and vanilla. Let pudding cool slightly.

Slice bananas. Layer in 8x8 (or similar) dish: 1)cookies 2)half of pudding 3)all bananas 4)rest of pudding 5)cookies 6)Cool Whip (seal edges of cool whip to sides of dish to prevent browning of bananas)

Refrigerate AT LEAST one hour.