Yeah Wizardnm, we both love the skin too. Don't worry, you get a nice thick skin. I always laugh at recipes that say to put plactic down on surface. Hah.. noooo way. To tell you the truth, I think I tend to make the pudding even thicker this way because on the stovetop as soon as it starts to boil/thicken you take it off because you know it's going to burn/stick/ruin a pot. I sure don't miss cleaning those pudding pots. Sorry to keep going on about simple pudding, but hey.. easy fast pudding has been a big deal. One of my fave cooking tips.

Here is the "Original Nilla Wafers Banana Pudding." I still have this recipe that I cut from the back of the box of wafers many years ago. NILLA WAFERS ORIGINAL BANANA PUDDING 3/4 c. granulated sugar 1/3 c. all-purpose flour Dash of salt 4 eggs, separated, at room temperature 2 c. milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 35 to 45 Nilla Wafers 5 to 6 med. size fully ripe bananas, sliced (reserve 1 banana and 10-12 wafers for garnish*.) Combine 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler. Stir in 4 egg yolks and milk; blend well. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly until thickened. Reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add vanilla. Spread small amount on bottom of 1 1/2 quart casserole; cover with layer of Nilla Wafers. Top with layer of sliced bananas. Pour about 1/3 of the custard over bananas. Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make 3 layers each, ending with custard. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Spoon on top of pudding, spreading to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges. Bake at 425 degrees for 5 minutes or until delicately browned. Cool slightly or chill. If you have some kind of new sauce pan you can probably cook the pudding okay, but it will scorch easily. Better to use a double boiler. *I don't do the garnish, and I think the pudding is not complete without the meringue. Instant pudding ... no way! This is a classic dessert and should not be tampered with. Sue

Tom--I have made this banana pudding recipe for many years, and my DH thinks it is the best. Very simple; serves 6. Came from the Cotton Country Cookbook published by the Decatur, AL, Junior Service League. BANANA PUDDING 1/2 cup sugar 2 TBS. flour Dash of salt 1 3/4 cups milk 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 2 TBS. butter Graham crackers OR vanilla wafers 2 bananas Mix sugar, flour, and salt in top of double boiler. Measure milk and add enough milk to moisten the sugar, flour and salt mixture. With whisk, beat in egg. Turn heat to medium high, adding the rest of milk gradually. Stir constantly with spatula or wooden spoon. Cook until sauce thickens and boils. Take off stove. Add vanilla and butter. Put lid on boiler while butter melts. In a deep casserole dish, put one layer of graham crackers OR vanilla wafers and one layer of sliced bananas. After the butter has melted, stir custard carefully, and spoon the custard (does not need to cool) over the sliced bananas. Make two more layers like the first. Top the pudding with a layer of graham crackers or vanilla wafers. Chill. May add meringue if desired. Makes 6 servings. (COOK'S NOTE: I never use margarine instead of butter, and I always use vanilla wafers. If you're careful and have a nice heavy saucepan, you can get by without using a double boiler. Just stir constantly until custard comes to a boil. I use a 1-qt or a 1 1/2-qt. casserole, and I never have but two layers. Sometimes, I will crumble a few wafers over the top. You can substitute an 8 ounce can of crushed pineapple, drained, (sweetened or in its own juice) for the bananas and have a great pineapple pudding.)

FYI, I measured out 3 cups finely ground vanilla wafers. That will help save on the math :o) Plus I made 1 1/2 custard recipe so I could have some for the top. Had to use toothpicks though to keep it from sliding. It is a keeper recipe for me as my family loves real banana pudding and this cake tops it. Made the cakes on Friday, Saturday the custard and assembled Sunday morning.