Bananas Foster is one of those fancy restaurant desserts that are often prepared table-side. It easily impresses once the chef lights the alcohol at the very end and the entire thing goes up in flames, leaving behind soft and flambéed bananas in a creamy caramel sauce. But those chefs only make it look difficult so that you'll think you can't make it yourself at home. The recipe below proves that's just not true.
You can flambé on either an electric or gas stove (something else those chefs will have you thinking is impossible), and it's totally safe. But if you're nervous about it, leave out the alcohol and just pop the entire pan under the broiler for just a few minutes. You'll still get that slightly smoky, charred taste without any of the worry.
Bananas Foster in 3 Easy Steps
4
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
1 cup ready-made caramel sauce
2 bananas, sliced to about 1/2 inch
1/4 cup rum
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Pour the caramel sauce into a frying pan set over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer.
Add the bananas, stirring gently to coat them in the sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes, just until the bananas are soft and fully coated.
Pour the rum into the frying pan, and working quickly, use a barbecue lighter to light it. It will flame, and then after about 2 minutes, the flame will die out, meaning all the alcohol has cooked off.
Spoon the bananas and the sauce over creamy vanilla ice cream.
