Banana Mousse By Freda Food

BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST WITH PEANUT BUTTER MOUSSE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the cream, milk, nutmeg and eggs in a bowl. Working in batches, soak the banana bread slices in the mixture.
• Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat with a bit of the butter. Cook a batch of the banana bread slices until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to the oven to keep warm. Cook the remaining slices, adding more butter as needed.
• Cut the bananas into oblique slices, place on a baking sheet and coat with the sugar. Brulee them with a kitchen torch or under a broiler (or leave raw if you do not have a torch or broiler).
• Arrange the French toast on plates, top with a quenelle (oval-shaped scoop) of the Peanut Butter Mousse, spread the bruleed bananas about, grate chocolate over the top of it all and serve with a side of the warm Cinnamon Maple Syrup.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
• In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl between additions.
• Combine the banana, buttermilk and vanilla in a bowl. Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cloves in a second bowl. Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and paddle just to combine. Scrape down the sides and then add the buttermilk and banana mixture. Scrape down again, and add the remaining flour until just combined uniformly.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake on the center rack until a toothpick inserted in the loaf comes out clean, 50 minutes to an hour, depending on your oven. Let cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pan to cool completely.
• Whisk the cream to medium peaks and set aside.
• In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, salt and vanilla, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway, until the mixture is uniform, about 5 minutes. Fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture, a third at a time. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Blacken the cinnamon a bit on a gas burner.
• Put the maple syrup in a pan and heat until warm. Remove from the heat, add the blackened cinnamon sticks and let steep in the syrup for 20 minutes.

BANANA MOUSSE WITH CARDAMOM CREME ANGLAISE

Steps:

• Crush cardamom seeds with the back of a heavy knife and combine, outer shells and all, with cream in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. In top of a double boiler whisk yolks with sugar until sugar dissolves. Cook eggs over simmering water, whisking constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and gradually strain cream into yolks, whisking. Pour sauce back into top of double boiler and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes until thickened. Temperature of sauce should not exceed 165 degrees F or it will curdle. Remove sauce from heat and continue to stir for 3 minutes to cool. Strain into a clean bowl and cool to room temperature, stirring frequently. Cover and chill.
• In food processor combine banana and sugar and puree. Scrape puree into a bowl and gently fold in whipped cream. Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours. To serve, mound mousse in centers of 4 dessert plates. Pour some cardamom sauce around and serve immediately, garnished with mint.

BANANA MOUSSE

Steps:

• Place milk, sugar, vanilla, and banana in blender.
• Process 15 seconds at high speed until smooth.
• Pour mixture into a small bowl; fold in yogurt.
• Chill.
• Spoon into 4 dessert dishes; garnish each with 2 banana slices just before serving.