Christmas Bananas Foster

(Serves 4-6)

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Bananas Foster. Do not forget the orange or it will be too sweet!

Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe bananas

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter

  • ¾ cup light brown sugar

  • ½ cup dark brown sugar

  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

  • 2 oz Crème de Banana liqueur - for deeper banana flavor

  • 2 oz dark rum

  • ½ fresh orange - for its juice

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional and questionable)

  • Pinch of salt

  • High quality vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

  1. Cut bananas in half, then slice lengthwise.

  2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until 85% melted, then reduce heat to low.

  3. Add the light and dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and Crème de Banana liqueur. Stir the mixture constantly until the sugars dissolve and a thick caramel forms (about 3-4 minutes).

  4. Add the bananas, placing them flat side down. Gently poke them with a fork for sauce penetration and continuously baste with the caramel sauce.

  5. Cook the bananas for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are tender but not mushy. A fork should pierce them easily, but they should hold their shape.

  6. Add the rum and ignite. Baste the bananas with the flaming sauce until the flame dies down.

  7. Squeeze the juice from ½ orange over the mixture and stir in a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Optionally, add vanilla extract.

Serve immediately over quality vanilla ice cream, spooning the caramel sauce over the top.