Patricia Greenburgs Dairy Free Tropical Banana Cream Pie Recipes

BANANA CREAM PIE

Steps:

• To make the custard: Bring the milk to the boil.
• Meanwhile, in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk the yolks together with the brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt until well blended and thick. Whisking without stopping, drizzle in about 1/4 cup of the hot milk - this will temper, or warm, the yolks so they won't curdle - then, still whisking, add the remainder of the milk in a steady stream. Put the pan over medium heat and, whisking constantly (make sure to get into the edges of the pan), bring the mixture to a boil. Boil, still whisking, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened to pudding consistency, before removing from the heat.
• Whisk in the vanilla extract. Let stand for 5 minutes, then whisk in the bits of butter, stirring until they are fully incorporated and the custard is smooth and silky. You can either press a piece of plastic wrap against the surface of the custard to create an airtight seal and refrigerate the custard until cold or, if you want to cool the custard quickly - as I always do - put the bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice cubes and cold water and stir occasionally until it is thoroughly chilled, about 20 minutes. (If it's more convenient, you can refrigerate the custard, tightly covered, for up to 3 days.)
• When you are ready to assemble the pie, peel the bananas and cut them on a shallow diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Whisk the cold custard vigorously to loosen it, and spread about one quarter of it over the bottom of the pie crust - it will be a thin layer. Top with half of the banana slices. Repeat, adding a thin layer of pastry cream and the remaining bananas, then smooth the rest of the pastry cream over the last layer of bananas.
• To make the topping: Working with a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the cream until it just starts to thicken. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla and continue to beat until the cream holds firm peaks. Switch to a rubber spatula and gently fold in the sour cream.
• To finish: Spoon the whipped cream over the filling and spread it evenly to the edges of the custard. Serve, or refrigerate until needed.

BANANA CREAM PIE WITH COCONUT CRUST

Steps:

• For the crust: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spread the coconut flakes on a baking sheet and bake until it begins to turn golden, about 10 minutes. Toss and continue to bake, tossing very frequently, until all of the coconut is evenly golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes more. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes. Leave the oven on.
• Whisk the egg white, sugar, vanilla and salt in a large bowl until combined. Fold in the coconut. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray and press in the mixture, forming a 1/4-inch crust around the bottom and sides. Bake until toasted and brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside on a wire rack to cool for about 15 minutes.
• For the filling: Peel the bananas and slice crosswise into thin rounds. Set aside while you make the custard.
• Whisk the sugar, cornstarch and salt together in a medium saucepan. Vigorously whisk in the yolks, milk and vanilla until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture starts to thicken and simmer, about 4 minutes. Once the mixture is simmering, continue to cook 1 minute longer, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and pour a third of the custard over the coconut crust. Arrange the banana slices over the custard in an even layer and top with the remaining custard. Chill for 2 hours or up to overnight.
• For the topping: Beat the heavy cream with an electric mixer until it just starts to thicken. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form, then spoon onto the pie to cover the custard. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours.

PATRICIA GREENBURG'S DAIRY-FREE TROPICAL BANANA CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• Bake the graham cracker crust for 6 minutes and set aside.
• In a food processor, combine the tofu, soy cream cheese and sugar and puree until smooth.
• Add the banana and continue to puree until fully combined.
• Pour into the prepared piecrust and spread the dried pineapple and macadamia nuts evenly across the top of the pie.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cool completely.
• Refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight.
• Wrapped, this pie will keep in the refrigerator for 5 days.

BANANA CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake the crust.
• To make the filling, combine 2 cups milk, sugar and salt in a non-reactive saucepan; whisk once to mix and bring to a boil over low heat. Place remaining 1/2 cup milk in a mixing bowl and whisk in cornstarch, then eggs. Return milk and sugar mixture to a boil over low heat then whisk about a third of it into the egg mixture. Return milk and sugar mixture to a boil once more and whisk in the egg mixture, whisking constantly until the filling thickens and comes to a boil. Allow to boil, whisking constantly, for about 30 seconds. Remove from heat, whisk in butter and vanilla; pour into a non-reactive bowl. Press plastic wrap against the surface of the filling and chill until it is approximately 75 degrees. Fold the bananas into the cooled filling and spread it evenly in the cooled crust.
• To finish the pie, whip the cream with the sugar and vanilla until it holds a firm peak. Use a hand mixer on medium speed or a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the whisk. Spread the cream over the filling, making sure it touches the edges of the crust all around.
• To mix the dough by hand, combine flour, salt and baking powder in a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir well to mix. Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and add to dry ingredients. Toss once or twice to coat pieces of butter. Then using your hands or a pastry blender, break the butter into tiny pieces and pinch and squeeze it into the dry ingredients. Keep the mixture uniform by occasionally reaching down to the bottom of the bowl and mixing all the ingredients evenly together. Continue rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible. Sprinkle the minimum amount of water over the butter and flour mixture and stir gently with a fork -- the dough should begin holding together. If the mixture still appears dry and crumbly, add the remaining water, 1 teaspoon at a time for the smaller quantity of dough, a tablespoon at a time for the larger quantity, until the dough holds together easily.
• To mix the dough in the food processor, combine flour, salt and baking powder in work bowl fitted with metal blade. Pulse 3 times at 1-second intervals to mix. Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and add to work bowl. Process, pulsing repeatedly at 1-second intervals, until the mixture is fine and powdery, resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible--about 15 pulses in all. Scatter the minimum amount of water on the butter and flour mixture and pulse 5 or 6 times -- the dough should begin holding together. If the mixture still appears dry and crumbly, add the remaining water, 1 teaspoon at a time for the smaller quantity of dough,one tablespoon at a time for the larger quantity, until the dough holds together easily.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a disk (two equal disks for the larger amount of dough). Sandwich the disk(s) of dough between two pieces of plastic wrap and press it into a 6-inch circle. Refrigerate the dough until firm, or until you are ready to use it, at least 1 hour.

TROPICAL CREAM PIE

Steps:

• The day before, place in yogurt in a strainer lined with cheesecloth or a yogurt strainer and place in the refrigerator; allowing to drain for 24 hours.
• Making sure to reserve the liquid, drain the pineapple in a stainer, pressing against sides to remove liquid.
• Soften the gelatin in 1/4 cup of the pineapple juice for 5 minutes; heat 1/2 cup of the remaining juice; add softened gelatin and stir to dissolve, cool slightly.
• Sprinkle the banana with lemon juice and toss to coat; place the coconut in a dry skillet and over medium heat toast lightly.
• Place the yogurt cheese in a medium-sized bowl, gently stir in sugar with a fork or wire whisk; gradually add the gelatin mixture and continue stirring until well blended.
• Fold in the drained pineapple, bananas and toasted coconut.
• Pour the mixture into a 9-inch prepared graham cracker crust, chill several hours or until set.