Queen of All Pudding December 1, 2008

Tip: Baking and Cooking go more smoothly if All ingredients, bowls and tools are assembled on work area before beginning recipe.

Ingredients:
1 box Uneeda Biscuits
1 can Condensed Milk
1 can Evaporated Milk
Butter 1 stick (1/2 cup) melted (not oleo, margarine or spread)
1 cup Sugar (cane sugar)
8 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg (optional)
Guava Paste (I use all of a 21 ounce round can of Conchita guava paste)

Instructions for pudding:
Crumble and soak Uneeda Biscuits in water until mushy.
Drain in colander. Do not squeeze; bit of water left is OK. Place in large mixing bowl.
To Biscuits add condensed milk and mix well; either by hand or beater on low speed.
Add evaporated milk, sugar, vanilla, melted butter and nutmeg; mix as above.
In separate bowl, mix well together 6 egg YOLKS and 2 WHOLE eggs; blend into above mixture. Set aside the remaining 6 egg WHITES for Meringue topping. Egg whites must be room temperature before using.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour above mixture into a lightly buttered 9 x 13 inch or comparable size pan. Place mixture pan into a medium-shallow pan. Pull middle oven shelf part way out and slowly add water in bottom pan (almost to the top), being careful not to get any in the pudding mix. (I've done that before!) Bake appx. 1 hour. A toothpick in middle should come out clean when done. Remove from oven. Let sit for awhile (to 'set').

Guava topping: Cut guava into cubes and put in microwave safe bowl with a bit of water. Too much water will make it runny; you can always add more, if needed. Microwave on 50% power for a few minutes to soften. Timing depends on wattage of your Microwave. Using a beater, mix guava paste to a smooth, spreadable consistency. Spread evenly over pudding.

Meringue topping: Before mixing, measure 12 teaspoons of sugar in a cup (2 for each egg). Using squeaky clean beaters and bowl, beat the 6 egg whites and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar on medium-high speed until foamy. Increase the speed to high and VERY SLOWLY beat in the sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread over Pudding. (You can create a delicate, crispy "crust" on meringue's surface by sifting Powdered Sugar all over just before baking.)
Brown in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

Tip: A fine grain sugar disolves better. You can make fine by puting regular sugar in a blender or food processor before using.

Submitted by;  Joyce Lounders Cooper