from andrea rock

basic pie: 2 C of milk 3 T flour, 1 T cornstarch 1/2 C sugar, and 1/4 tsp. salt 2 beaten egg yolks 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 C coconut (if coconut) 2 really ripe bananas (if banana)

if feeling meringuey: 2 egg whites 1/4 C sugar 1/4 tsp. vanilla 1/2 C coconut (if coconut)

if not: whipping / whipped cream

Instructions

Scald 2 C of milk in top double boiler

Combine 3 T flour, 1 T cornstarch (look for a while first, declare that you don't have any, then ask Andrea's mother to find it, who will immediately reach into the cabinet and produce it), 1/2 C sugar, and 1/4 tsp. salt, and mix thoroughly

Add to scalded milk and cook 15 minutes, stirring constantly (whew!).

Stir small amount of mixture into 2 beaten egg yolks, return to double boiler, and cook a few minutes longer.

Cool and add 1 tsp. vanilla (accidentally spill extra vanilla into mix. Apologize profusely) and 1/2 C coconut (but not if you're making banana cream pie -- if so, slice up a few bananas and layer them on the bottom of the pan in pretty concentric circles).

Pour filling into baked pie shell.

If feeling meringuey, beat 2 egg whites stiff. Beat in 1/4 C sugar gradually and add 1/4 tsp. vanilla (again, spill accidentally). Pile it on the filling, and sprinkle 1/2 C coconut (or splatter a mashed banana) over meringue.

If not feeling meringuey, skip that step, and put whipped cream on the top after baking. NOTE: this version is much better for smashing in faces.

Bake in slow 325° oven 20 minutes

Unless meringued, throw in someone's face. Quote old, old plays that you were in with Emilie in sixth grade: -- "banana cream pie? I said chocolate cream pie!" [smack]

Eat while watching Breakfast at Tiffany's, and making Wagner and squash jokes, and wondering why Richard Wagner is inherently funny.