Lenten Banana-Coconut Pie

Lenten Banana-Coconut Pie

Note: With the exception of the crust, which in my case was store bought (because I have no idea how to make a lenten crust) this pie is completely lenten.

Ingredients:

• One box (4 envelopes in all) of Dream Whip (the powdered stuff)
• 2 boxes of banana instant pudding mix
• 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 3 teaspoons of cocoa powder (divided into 1 1/2 teaspoon portions)
  
• 3 to 4 cups of very finely shredded coconut (divided into 1 1/2 to 2 cup portions)
  
• 3 cups cups of very finely chopped pecans (divided into 1 1/2 cup portions)
  
• 2 3/4 cups of soy milk (original -- not flavored or anything)
• 2 store bought chocolate pie crusts (this recipes yields two pies)
  

Directions:

1. Use an electric hand mixer (on high) to beat together 1 package of Dream Whip with 1 cup of soy milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla until peaks form.
2. Add in the two packages of banana instant pudding, another package of Dream Whip, and the remaining 1 3/4 cups of soy milk. Beat until the mixture is about as stiff as it will get.
3. Add the shredded coconut to the mixture and mix until integrated thoroughly. At this point you should taste the mixture and if the banana is overwhelming, add more coconut.
4. Pour half of the mixture into one pie crust, the other half of the mixture into the second pie crust, and refridgerate immediately (soy milk has a much shorter shelf life than regular milk).
5. Using the remaining two Dream Whip packages, follow the directions on the box to make two more batches of whip cream (one for each pie). When mixing the Dream Whip, add in 1 1/2 teaspoons to cocoa powder (to each batch) to give the whip cream a mild chocolate flavor. Add a pinch of sugar to counter the bitterness of the cocoa.
6. Spread the chocolate whip cream over each of the pies, making sure to completely cover the pie filling.
   
7. Pour 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped pecans over one of the pies (again, cover completely and be liberal -- the pecans really make this pie!). Repeat for the second pie.
8. Chill for about 4 hours.
   
9. Say a prayer.
10. Eat and enjoy.

This recipe is pretty darn good, especially considering there is nothing terribly fattening in it. I definitely recommend giving this a try. You could of course change it up with different pudding flavors.

Comments are welcome.