Guest Post: Choco-nana Pudding Pie

My talented cousin, Ruchira writes a food blog, The Great Cookaroo.She is one of those people who can just whip things up and make it look so easy. She was  a part of a food reality show called Master Chef and is just awesome.

This amazing recipe of a Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie is written by her. I love this recipe as it is very simple to make and is truly delicious.

For variations you can make this without bananas and instead do a caramel layer. Use extra chopped cookies as a layer. Add some mints, chop in some M ‘n’ Ms – the world is your oyster. So the next time you are entertaining or just want to spoil your loved ones, give it a shot.

 

Choco-nana Pudding PieMakes a 7 to 8" loose bottom tart tinServes 5

Ingredients 

For the chocolate crust15 chocolate biscuits such as Oreos5 Marie biscuits2 tablespoons melted butter 

For the chocolate pudding75 gms sugar1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (corn flour)3 tablespoons cocoa powder 1/8 teaspoon salt1 1/4 cup milk1/4 cup cream2 large egg yolks60 grams dark chocolate chopped¾ teaspoons pure vanilla extract½ tablespoon butter at room temperature 

For the layers2-4 bananas150 ml lightly sweetened whipped creamCocoa powder for dusting 

Method: 

For the chocolate crust1. Crush the chocolate biscuits and Marie biscuits with a rolling pin until nice and crumbly

2. Add melted butter to the chocolate biscuit mix

3. Press into a buttered loose bottom tart tin. Even out with the back of your spoon or hand. Wrap with cling film. Freeze till needed. 

 

For the chocolate pudding1. In a large heatproof bowl whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, and salt. Then whisk in ¼ cup of the milk until you have a thick paste.2. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, whisking to blend into the cocoa paste mixture. Set aside.3. In a saucepan heat remaining milk and cream. Bring this mixture just to a boil and then remove from heat. (The milk will foam up to the top of pan when done, so watch carefully.)4. Gradually pour the milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth.5. Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium-low heat.6. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of mayonnaise (about 3 - 5 minutes). Remove from heat and pour through the strainer to remove any lumps that may have formed during cooking.7. Add the finely chopped chocolate, vanilla extract, and butter, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until the mixture is smooth.8. Let it cool. In case you want to use the pudding immediately, put the pan over ice and water and stir for 5 to 6 minutes or until you feel it’s ready to use

To assemble the pie

1. Remove pie crust from the freezer. Chop bananas (as many as you want) in thick circles and spread as first layer2. Spread a thick layer of chocolate pudding on top of it

3. Spread a thin layer of whipped cream.4. Dust with cocoa powder.5. Chill overnight or at least 1 hour before serving

 

Note: This pudding can be made eggless. Just triple the quantity of the corn starch and omit the egg yolks. Rest of the process remains the same.