Chocolate Bananas Foster

In New Orleans, where Bananas Foster was invented, they’ll bring out a hot plate and make the dish table side, including a spectacular flambé.

Ingredients

  • 4 slightly unripe bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise
  • 2 oz (57 g) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (60 ml / 2 oz) dark rum
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest, finely grated
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ¼ cup (50 g / 1.8 oz) granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon freshly-ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon freshly-grated nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon freshly-ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar
Chocolate Bananas Foster

Photo: Rennett Stowe / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Procedure

  1. Combine all ingredients except bananas, powdered sugar, orange, and rum in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  2. Once mixture comes to a boil, add bananas, making sure to keep at least ½ inch (1.3 cm) between them. Cook for 1 minute per side.
  3. Remove bananas from pan and keep warm. Bring mixture again to a strong boil over high heat. Turn off the heat and add rum. If rum has not ignited by itself, do so carefully either with a firestick or a long fireplace match. Wait until flames die out before stirring in zest.
  4. Spoon sauce over bananas and dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm with some ice cream.