Bananas Foster ♥

Hello Friends! Friday already ♥

Did you have a nice week?  Mine was ok.  Nothing special.  Our big snowstorm turned into more of a rainstorm.  It's been cold and gloomy here all week, which means I've had no energy at all.  Coffee helps.  So does a comfy couch with reruns of Three's Company & Everybody Loves Raymond. 

Yup, there's where I'm at this week.  Don't judge : ) 

I'm hearing there's more snow on the way next week.  Mr. Groundhog said we are in for six more weeks of winter and I have a feeling he means it.  The good news is on the other end of that six weeks is beautiful spring days with green trees and blooming flowers.  

We'll get there. We always do. 

Last night we got take out for dinner.  I got my usual meatball sub (which was delicious : ). 

To jazz up dinner I thought I would make a special dessert that basically required no effort at all.  Bananas foster is one of those desserts that sounds very fancy, but in reality it's very easy.  It requires only a few ingredients and takes 5 minutes to make.  

Perfect for when your week has been blaaaah, and you need a little something to liven it up.

♥

 These bananas have seen better days.  

So it was bananas foster or banana bread. I chose the quickest option. 

Melt butter...

add brown sugar...

stir in rum, vanilla, & cinnamon... 

add bananas...

let it bubble....

serve over vanilla ice cream... 

It's the combo of the hot sugary bananas over the cold ice cream that makes this dessert so tasty.  It was a big hit last night.  It definitely jazzed up our take out dinner.

Here are the exact measurements if you want to give it a try  ♥

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

3 1/2 tbs rum

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 ripe bananas, sliced

vanilla ice cream

Melt butter in a large skillet over med-high heat.  Stir in sugar, rum, vanilla, and cinnamon.  When the mixture starts to bubble add bananas. Cook for 2 minutes.  Serve immediately over ice cream. 

*side note - after you add the rum you could ignite it and to the flambé thing, but I did not.  Number one, I did not want to burn the house down and number two, presentation would have been lost on my family who only wanted to eat it...not look at it : ) 

I hope you all have a nice weekend!  Are you planning on watching the Superbowl? We are.  

I'm making pizzas and we'll try not to discuss the mixed feelings we have over Tom Brady : )

See you on Monday! xo 

                                                                    ♥

Bananas Foster

Here is my version of a classic desert.  Bananas Fosters originated in New Orleans in the early 1950's.  I first had it many years ago at a friends wedding in Boston.  The wedding was held in the restaurant above the actual Cheers bar (based on the TV show).  Sadly, Cheers didn't look quite like I expected it to - Sam Malone did not greet me at the door, nor did I see Norm sitting at the end of the bar. Too bad : (  

The wedding however, was something to be remembered.  Everything about it was fabulous, including this scrumptious desert.  Today, you will pay a pretty penny for it in high end restaurants.  Funny thing is, it's made with ingredients that we all have on hand.  Go figure.  Here's all you need to make it. 

1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons rum ( I recommend Myers dark rum)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 large bananas, peeled and sliced lengthwise & crosswise
1 pint vanilla ice cream

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.  Stir in sugar, rum, vanilla, and cinnamon. When mixture bubbles, place bananas in the pan.

Cook until bananas are hot, about 2 minutes.  Serve immediately over vanilla ice cream.  This recipe makes 4 servings. 

The contrast of the warm sauce and cold ice cream are what makes this dish.  It truly tastes like you put way more effort into it that you actually did.  Wear your prettiest apron and bring the pan to the table.  Channel your inner Julia Child and spoon over the ice cream as your guests oooh and aaah.  Only you will know the real secret. Life's simple pleasures are sometimes found right in our own kitchen. 

Bon Appetite!

ps...K&L this was for you : )