Sunday, September 7, 2008

Flambéed Bananas With Lyle's Golden Syrup, Toasted Almonds, And Shaved Chocolate

There's been a jar of Lyle's Golden Syrup in my cupboard for several years now. Don't worry, it doesn't go bad - it's sugar. Besides, it was sealed up tight. Once upon a time I was going to make bobotie but couldn't find Lyle's, which is called for in my bobotie recipe, at any of the markets I haunt, so I didn't make it. When I finally found the Lyle's I was deep in my low-carb, no-sugar phase and had lost the desire to make bobotie, which I later found out, is often not made with Lyle's. Enough of that. Suffice it to say, the Lyle's has been languishing around my cupboards for a good long while.

Last night after a rather sparse dinner, as Mr CC and I were watching a movie and bemoaning the fact that we were out of ice cream, I got a hankering for sautéed bananas. Checking the cupboards for further enhancements, there was the Lyle's, and here was its chance.

Flambéed bananas are easy to make and take no time at all at the stove. My only word of caution is that you take caution when adding alcohol to heat, as the flare up can be quite exciting and possibly dangerous.

The only thing I would add to this deeply satisfying dessert is the missing ice cream. A small scoop of really good vanilla would be a safe and delicious choice. However, if you dare, Chunky Monkey comes to mind...

Christine's Flambeed Bananas With Lyle's Golden Syrup
Ingredients:
2 ripe but firm bananas, organic free-trade are best
1 tablespoon butter
1 heaping tablespoon Lyle's Golden Syrup
1/4 cup Triple Sec
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon toasted, slivered almonds
Dark, bittersweet chocolate for shaving

Preparation:
Melt the butter in a heavy skillet (I used cast iron) over medium-high heat.
Peel the bananas, removing all the strings and things that accompany the fruit.
Slice each banana down the center lengthwise and place in the skillet when the butter has melted and is slightly bubbly.
Sauté the bananas until they are golden. Using two spatulas if needed, gently flip them and sauté the other sides.
Using all the syrup, drizzle it over each banana slice.
With the pan still on the heat, carefully but quickly pour the Triple Sec over the bananas. Shaking the pan should cause the alcohol to ignite (keep your face and body at arm's length from the pan). If it doesn't, tip the pan slightly so the flame from your burner catches scent of the alcohol. That should do the trick. If it doesn't, use a long match to light the Triple Sec in the pan. The flame will die when the alcohol has burned off.
To serve:
Place two banana halves on each plate. Stir the syrup mixture in the pan then drizzle over the bananas. Sprinkle with cinnamon then almonds and, finally, using a microplane, shave the dark chocolate over each plate. Serve immediately, with ice cream or without. But if I'd had some. . .







Copyright © 2005-2008, Christine Cooks. All rights reserved

13 comments:

  1. It is nice that there are some things that can safely languish in the pantry for years;)

    Beautiful bananas and yes simple but yes so good. I will have to try some night soon.

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  2. Now, THAT'S a dessert. ;-)

    Paz

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  3. This is such an ooh-la-la dessert, Christine. :)

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  4. I have some things that have been sitting in the cupboard for an unspecified amount of time, so it is good to know that at least some things don't go bad. Nice job with the bananas and chocolate.

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  5. Tanna, you should see the dates on a few exotic jars of mustard in my pantry.

    Paz and Anne, I totally agree! ;)

    Thank you so much, Susan!

    Simona, It would have been absolute perfection with some of your ice cream.

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  6. I don't know anyone that can resist flambeed bananas :)

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  7. Hi Cynthia, here's how ignorant I am: I didn't know that flambeed bananas were also called Bananas Foster until after I posted this!

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  8. My husband loves everything banana, and I happen to have an open can of Lyle's!

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  9. A very inventive way to use golden syrup, Christine. These look incredible! You can make flapjacks with golden syrup (oaty baked bars - very nice!) or, it's awfully good on bread (white) and butter with a nice cup of tea (happy childhood memory).

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  10. I haven't had a banana dessert in such a long time. Dying to try this out. :)

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  11. This is my favorite dessert, but I never thought of making it with Syrup. Fabulous idea.

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  12. I hope you enjoy it, Sara.

    Hi Catherine, Somehow, white bread and golden syrup sound very familiar to me even though I don't think my mother made it. Channeling... ;)

    Hi Wendy! Let me know how it turns out.

    Thanks Pia! Glad you like it.

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