Mid-Day (or late nite) Snack: Healthy Banana's Foster

Another of my favorites that I recently came up with is my Healthy Banana's Foster!

What you need:

1 Banana
Cinnamon
Honey
Yogurt or Ice Cream (optional) I prefer Blueberry Yogurt!

Instructions:
1. Cut banana slices and put them in a microwaveable bowl

2. Drizzle honey on top and add however much cinnamon you like. I personally love cinnamon so I pretty much cover my banana slices

3. Heat for about 20 - 30 seconds in the microwave
If slices aren't soft and mushy, put them back in to make sure they caramelize and you get that nice banana flavor

Top with some yogurt for a breakfast or mid-day snack (personally I love blueberry, for some reason it really goes well!) or ice cream for a more dessert-like snack. Or, you can just eat it plain!
P.S. If your slices are thinner, it gets mushy faster! I love that mushy banana taste that really brings out the sweetness of the banana. Mmm, delicious...

Let me know what you think! This is fast and easy to make, but gives you that dessert like banana taste and can be embellished with ice cream for a truly delightful, yet healthy snack!

Enjoy!

-Stephanie, WWT

Banana's Foster

Alright so let's face it, I've never had banana's foster once in my life so tonight, I made an exception. Upside? I now have a new dessert to attempt to cook when I get home! Downside... the full stomach and the ughhh feeling.  Don't get me wrong it was totally worth it! Those sizzling, flaming, sugary bananas drizzled over vanilla ice cream made for both a warm and melty, lovely bunch of goodness!!

So what exactly is banana's foster? Well, it was originally created by Paul Blange at Brennan's a creole restaurant located in the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Preparation of the dish usually involves a performance of a flambe (essentially setting it on fire). I was lucky enough to have the dish recreated in my college dining hall, I know right? Let me tell you, the chef did an awesome job preparing it right in front of me and he was even getting a two to three foot tall flame going! Anyway, if you'd like to try making this dessert at home here's the recipe. Oh, and it's your call on whether you choose to eat it as a delightful breakfast or a delectable dessert ;)

BANANAS FOSTER (recipe found here)


¼ cup (½ stick) butter

1 cup brown sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup banana liqueur

4 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved

¼ cup dark rum

4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet. Place the pan over low heat either on an alcohol burner or on top of the stove, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan. When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum. Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum. When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream. Generously spoon warm sauce over the top of the ice cream and serve immediately.

Doesn't that sound delicious? Now I'm sure you can get creative here and design your own take on this dessert, so have fun. I have a feeling that even banana-haters will love this dish. I can't wait to re-create it myself when I'm home.

Remember: there's always room for dessert!

Stephanie, WWT

Banana Chips?

So, I was eating banana chips this morning and was wondering why I never attempted to make them myself! So for anyone else who wants to try, I found some recipes online. I won't be able to make them until I get back home to my kitchen, but if anyone attempts either of these, let me know what you think!

First recipe:
• 5 Raw Bananas (peeled)
• 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
• Oil for deep-frying
• Salt to taste


• Put the peeled bananas in salted iced water.
• Chop the bananas in water and add turmeric.
• Keep in water for 10 minutes and then drain out water completely.
• Transfer to a kitchen cloth to remove the moisture.
• Heat oil till it starts fuming.
• Deep-fry the slices till almost crisp. Add few slices at a time.
• Prepare paste of 1/2 tsp water and 1/4 tsp salt.
• Add this paste to oil. This will make the slices crispier.
• Repeat the procedure for remaining slices.
• Drain the chips on an absorbent paper.
• Cool and store them in an airtight container.

Found on: http://www.indobase.com/recipes/details/banana-chips.php




Second Recipe:

2 large firm DOLE® Bananas
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Cut bananas diagonally into 1/8-inch thin slices. Dip banana slices into fresh lemon juice. Place slices on baking sheets sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.

Bake at 200 degrees F, 2 hours.

Turn slices over; continue baking 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until slices are crisp.

Remove slices to wire rack and cool completely. Store in airtight container

Source: Dole Food Company

Found on: http://www.recipelink.com/mf/31/36446

Make sure to let me know how your attempts come out!! Or if you know a better recipe, please share!

Stephanie, WWT