Banana Cream Pie with Greek Yogurt Cream (Kopie)

*****
A lighter version of a classic, the greek yogurt lightens up the thick pastry cream and adds to its silky texture. The best part for me? The fresh cubes of banana, folded in.

Ingredients:
For the Nilla Wafer-Cinnamon Graham Crust:

40 Nilla Wafers
2 sheets cinnamon graham crackers
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/3 cup sugar

For the Greek Yogurt Banana Pastry Cream:
1 cup skim milk
1/2 vanilla bean
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 large egg yolks
2 tbsp butter, cubed
1 cup Greek yogurt with vanilla (I used Chobani)
1 small banana, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch cubes

For the Whipped Cream:
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
Splash of vanilla

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Make the Nilla Wafer-Cinnamon Graham Crust:
Prepare crust by using a food processor or blender to process the Nilla Wafers and graham crackers until fine. You should have about 2 1/4 cups. Add butter and sugar, and pulse. Pour into pie or tart pan, pressing down with fingers or measuring cup, creating an even layer up the sides of the pan. Chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until firm.

Place a layer of parchment paper on the crust and place ceramic weights or beans on top. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and firm. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Greek Yogurt Banana Pastry Cream:
In a small saucepan, combine the milk and vanilla bean and bring to a light bubble of medium heat. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks, then slowly ladle in the warmed vanilla milk, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium low heat, while whisking, until it just starts to thicken. This will happen very quickly. Remove immediately, then whisk in the cubes of butter, strain into another bowl, and fold in the Greek yogurt. Cover with plastic wrap, applying it directly to the surface of the cream to prevent it from forming a skin. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Right before assembling, fold in the cubes of fresh banana.

Make the Whipped Cream:
In a cold mixer bowl (I like to put my mixer bowl and whisk in the freezer beforehand), whisk the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator until read to serve.

Assemble the Pie:
Pour the pastry cream into the crust and level with a spatula. Keep chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Adapted from White Chocolate-Banana Cream Pie, Boulevard: The Cookbook (Oakes & Mazzola, 2005) and Banana Cream Pie, Bon Appetit (February, 2003) via Epicurious.

http://kitchenconfidante.com/banana-cream-pie-with-greek-yogurt-cream-recipe