Bananas And Pralines Recipes

CARAMELIZED BANANAS WITH PECAN-COCONUT CRUNCH

Steps:

• Make the crunchy topping: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium until melted and foamy, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon honey and the salt; using a spatula, stir to combine. Add the pecans, pumpkin seeds, oats and coconut and stir to coat. Toast, stirring frequently, until the mixture is golden brown, about 8 minutes, lowering the heat as necessary to keep the mixture from burning. Stir in the sesame seeds and remove from heat. Move to a shallow bowl and set aside to cool. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups.)
• Prepare the bananas: Set the oven to broil. Wipe out the skillet and add the brown sugar, heavy cream, nutmeg, pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon honey. Stir ingredients and bring to a simmer over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and place the bananas in the pan, cut-side up. Spoon some of the sauce over the top to coat the slices. Move the pan to the oven and broil until the caramel sauce is hot and bubbly and the bananas are tender, deep golden and slightly charred in spots, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes.
• Spoon a large helping of the ice cream, whipped cream or crème fraîche over the warm bananas, then scatter the pecan-coconut crunch over the top. Divide among individual plates or eat directly from the skillet.

SAUTEED BANANAS WITH CARDAMOM PRALINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté half of bananas, cut sides down first, turning over once, until golden, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes total. Transfer with a slotted spatula to 2 dessert bowls. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and sauté remaining bananas in same manner, transferring to 2 more bowls.
• Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in skillet over moderate heat, then add brown sugar, cream, cardamom, and a pinch of salt and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice.
• Spoon sauce over bananas and ice cream.

SAUTEED BANANAS IN PRALINE SAUCE WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Melt the butter in a large saute pan on the grates of the grill. Whisk in the sugar and cook until melted and smooth. Standing back, carefully add the bourbon and cook for 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup pecans and cook for 30 seconds. Add the bananas and spoon the sauce over the bananas constantly until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Scoop the ice cream into bowls and top with the bananas and sauce. Garnish with the remaining chopped pecans and serve.

FROZEN BANANA & PRALINE PARFAIT

Steps:

• To make the praline, put the sugar into a heavy-based pan with 3 tbsp water. Place over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and is clear. Don't stir, or it will crystallise. Increase the heat and bubble to a dark caramel (see video technique), about 5 mins. Remove from the heat, stir through the nuts, then tip onto a lightly greased non-stick baking tray. Spread to level and leave to cool. Be careful as the tray will get very hot.
• When the praline is cold and brittle, break it into pieces. Then, using the end of a rolling pin, smash it up until fairly well crushed. If this is proving hard work, tip into a food processor and pulse until it's the texture of coarse breadcrumbs.
• Line a 1.2-litre loaf tin with a strip of baking parchment (this size tin gives a neat shape, but you can set the parfait in any shaped tin, or individual pudding basins or ramekins). In a bowl, mash the bananas with half the lemon juice until you have a rough purée, then set aside.
• Put the cream into a bowl and whip until it holds its shape but is still a little soft. In another very clean bowl and using a very clean electric whisk, beat the egg whites with a squeeze more lemon juice until stiff. Slowly add the sugar until you have a stiff, shiny meringue.
• Gently fold the whipped cream and meringue together, then add the banana and most of the praline, leaving about 4 tbsp to serve. Spoon into the loaf tin, smooth the top and freeze until firm, preferably overnight.
• To serve, remove the parfait from the freezer 10 mins before serving and leave in the fridge to soften slightly. Meanwhile, slice the bananas on a slant, allowing 3 slices for each serving. Lay the slices on a baking tray set on a wooden board and scatter heavily with the sugar. Use a blowtorch to caramelise the banana, then set aside. Be very careful as the tray will be extremely hot. If you don't have a blowtorch, place the slices into a hot, dry frying pan and sear the sugar-coated sides until caramelised. Lift and flip them over to a tray.
• To plate up, sprinkle a neat line of praline just off-centre on each plate. Arrange the slices of caramelised banana at opposing angles. Unmould the parfait, then use a warmed knife to neaten the sides and cut into finger-thick slices. Lay the slice on the opposite side of the plate to the banana and serve straight away.

PRALINE BANANA CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Finely chop 1/2 cup of the pecans; place in medium bowl. Add wafer crumbs, sugar and butter; mix well. Spoon into 9-inch pie plate. Press firmly onto bottom and up side of pie plate. Bake 8 min. or until lightly browned. Cool completely.
• Microwave caramels and water in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 30 sec; stir. Microwave an additional 15 to 30 sec. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after 30 sec. Add cream cheese; stir until completely melted. Spread onto bottom of crust; top with bananas.
• Pour milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat 2 min. or until well blended; pour over bananas. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans just before serving. Store any leftover pie in refrigerator.

BUTTERMILK BANANA SCONES WITH PRALINE GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Cut in butter pieces with a pastry knife or 2 knives until there are no large pieces and the mixture begins to look like coarse meal.
• Combine buttermilk, egg, and vanilla in a separate bowl; stir until well blended. Add buttermilk mixture to dry mixture and stir to combine, about 30 seconds. Add chopped banana and stir until mixture is just beginning to come together. Turn out everything onto a floured work surface.
• Using a very light touch and floured fingers, gently push the dough together and mold it into a ball. With a bench scraper or large spatula, move dough ball to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Gently press dough into a large circle, about 12 inches across and 3/4 inch thick. Using the bench scraper or a sharp knife, cut the dough circle into 10 equal slices. Press downward with the bench scraper or knife, lifting and pressing down, as you work your way across the circle. Do not drag to cut, or the edges will seal and spoil the rise. Brush top of the dough with melted butter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until scones are lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
• While the scones are baking, melt butter for glaze in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir to combine. Stir in buttermilk and salt and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then stir in chopped pecans. Boil, stirring frequently for 1 more minute. Remove from the stove and allow to cool slightly.
• Drizzle glaze over warm scones and serve immediately.

BANANAS AND PRALINES

Steps:

• Heat pan to high. Melt butter, whisk in the sugar and cook until melted and smooth.
• Stand back and carefully add the bourbon and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add pecans and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add bananas and spoon sauce over them constantly until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Scoop the bananas into bowls and garnish with a scoop of ice cream.