Baked Bananas

Paraguay - What to do with ovre-ripen bananas? Flambé   or baked, of course.  Although we love "bananes flambées" the butter and sugar content has been scary to me for a number of years.  So, I switch to another one of the recipes I learned in Tahiti: baked bananas.  Very simple and kids love eating the "Bananas in a Blanket."  As for the adults, if they miss their pyrotechnics, they can flambe after the kids are served.

Ingredients: (for 6 people)

- 12 small ripe bananas

- 2 Tblsp. raw sugar

- 1 Tblsp. rum

- 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Production:

Heat up the oven at 375F - Peel only ONE strip of  each banana, on the inner (small) side. Place the bananas on an oven tray.  Sprinkle the exposed banana flesh with the sugar, and drip the vanilla and rum on top.  Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the banana, until soft.

- For the kids: wait until slightly cooled down, scoop the syrup at the bottom of the tray and pour over the exposed flesh.  Serve.

- For the adults:  pour another 2 Tblsp. of rum over the bananas and flambé, scooping the sauce with a serving spoon and pouring over the banana flesh.  You should be getting a nice golden caramel.

Serve.  No need for vanilla ice cream, guys.  This is rich enough as it is.

Variante:  I add fresh passion fruit juice to the rum-vanilla mix: Cut a passion fruit in 2, scoop the inside and press through a tea strainer to get the juice.  

Nutrition Facts (tomorrow, my new computer and I can re-install the program!)


Until next meal

Domino Nini