Dulce de Leche Banana Cream Pie

1. Stage

For dulce de leche, pour sweetened condensed milk into a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate; cover with foil. Place pie plate in a large shallow pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 425° for 1-1/2 hours or until caramel-colored. Whisk dulce de leche to blend; transfer to a bowl. Cool for 1 hour; cover and refrigerate until chilled.

2. Stage

In a small bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in lard until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork, until dough holds together when pressed. Form dough into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

3. Stage

For filling, in a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly; cook 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes.

4. Stage

Immediately transfer to a clean bowl; stir in vanilla. Cool for 30 minutes. Press waxed paper onto surface of filling; refrigerate until chilled.

5. Stage

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-in.-thick circle. Transfer to a 9-in. pie plate, trimming to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Fill with dried beans, uncooked rice or pie weights.

6. Stage

Bake at 450° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove foil and weights; bake 3-5 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

7. Stage

To serve, spoon dulce de leche into crust. Layer with bananas and filling; top with whipped cream.