Banana Cream Pie

Before I go any further, I must issue a disclaimer. I love bananas, and especially a rich, decadent, heavy, sweet banana cream pie. (One that would use all my daily allotment for bad food ingredients.) Emiril actually makes an amazing version that he sells at his restaurants. I had the opportunity a few years ago to go to Emiril's (in Atlanta- now closed.) The apps and entrees were good, but the dessert (Banana Cream Pie) was probably the best I ever had. When I eat really good food I sometimes close my eyes for a few seconds, I don't think I opened by eyes for about ten minutes while I ate Emiril's Banana Cream Pie. This is not that pie. This is an attempt to create a pie that is still good, but won't blow your diet for the month. The verdict: Pretty good. Definatley not Emiril's, but it is a dessert that tastes good and you can feel good about.

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
12 graham crackers (2 1/2" squares), made into crumbs
4 tsp margarine
4 large bananas (or 5 small), thinly sliced on the diagonal
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Grated lime zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9" pie plate with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and margarine with a fork. Press into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate.

Bake until firm, 3-5 minutes; cool. In another medium bowl, toss the bananas with the lime juice; reserve 1 heaping cup. Arrange the remaining bananas over the crust.

In a small saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand 2 minutes.

Add the sugar; cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and the gelatin and sugar dissolve, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat; whisk in the yogurt and vanilla. Pour into the pie plate.

Arrange the reserved bananas over the pie; sprinkle with the lime zest.

Refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap, until chilled, 2-3 hours.

Makes 8 servings

Give it a shot, it is pretty easy and quick. I would love to know what you think. Cheers! Brett