If you have some eggs, milk, chocolate, nuts, and bananas on hand (fairly typical staples in the average kitchen), you can probably pull this easy recipe together with a minimum of fuss. Assembled into parfait glasses, or fancy stemmed glasses, it looks great. On those occasions when resources are limited, you can still pull off this dessert. Serves 6-8.

Ingredients:

• 4 egg yolks, beaten
• 2/3 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. corn starch
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 c. milk
• 2 TBS. butter
• 1 TBS. vanilla
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• 1/4 c. butter
• 4 bananas
• 1 c. pecans (or walnuts or peanuts), toasted or raw

PUDDING:

Set aside in medium-small bowl: > 4 egg yolks, beaten

In saucepan, stir well until mixed: > 2/3 c. sugar > 1/4 c. corn starch > 1/2 tsp. salt

Microwave 3 min. or so, in ceramic bowl (or large glass measuring cup): > 3 c. milk

Slowly add heated milk to corn starch/sugar mix, stirring well. Bring pan to boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Stir boiled mixture into yolks; return to pan and boil again, stirring, for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and add: > 2 TBS. butter > 1 TBS. vanilla

Pour into bowl, press plastic wrap on filling to prevent a crust from forming; refrigerate until thoroughly chilled (at least 2 hours).

CHOCOLATE BANANAS AND NUTS

Melt in bowl, 1 or 2 minutes, until it melts when you stir it: > 1 c. chocolate chips > 1/4 c. butter

Slice in 1/2 " thick slices: > 4 bananas

Dip bananas into melted mixture, using toothpicks if necessary. Set on wax paper and refrigerate until firm (an hour or so). Chop finely: > 1 c. pecans (or walnuts or peanuts), toasted or raw

To assemble parfaits, layer pudding, bananas, and nuts. Ready to go! Refrigerate until serving time.