~For almost 5 sweet years I worked at a delectable New Orleans soul food and po-boy shop here in Austin called Gene's which sadly has closed its doors. Gene was like a daddy to me and I gained about 25lbs working for him which he was mighty proud of. I miss him terribly and hope is doing well and making folks fat and happy back in the big easy. 
~I suppose he won't mind me sharing his banana pudding recipe now that the place is closed. Now let me just say I grew up on a mean banana pudding. My mama made a meringue topped home made delish pudding....but just try Gene's it is hard to make any other. Since it is kg's absolute fave desert( i would say kg married me so because of Gene teaching me how to cook), I decided to make one for father's day this year.*Now before you scoff at me let me say a bit about the boxed pudding....Gene always used a big ole' can of vanilla pudding; but the first time I made it at home I made homemade vanilla pudding. However I can say that I really cannot tell the difference once you add the whipped cream. So do what ever you prefer bit I like to use a large box of cook and serve jello pudding.... it is purrrfect.
ingredients
vanilla pudding ( i used box jello cook and serve..makes 6 1/2 cup servings)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp powdered sugar
1-2 ripe sliced bananas
1 box vanilla wafer cookies
process
make and chill pudding in a big bowl
crush 1/2 the box of cookies
whip cream and powdered sugar to stiff peaks
fold cream into chilled pudding until well combined
in a casserole dish or clear bowl layer your pudding as follows:
cookies, pudding, bananas
beginning and starting with cookies, use a 3rd of the pudding for each pudding layer
round the top with wafers to make it look perty
refrigerate for at least a few hours but actually the next day is THE best ...keeps for up to 3days but never lasts that long 'round here
