Toffee Bananas With Custard Food

TOFFEE & SESAME BANANAS

Steps:

• Toss the bananas in 2 tbsp of the sugar. Heat a griddle to medium, then cook the bananas, a few pieces at a time, until sticky and showing griddle marks. Keep warm in a low oven.
• For the sauce, put the remaining sugar, the butter and cream into a saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until the sugar has melted. Stir in the sesame seeds. Can be made up to a day ahead. To serve, put a few pieces of banana into 8 serving dishes, spoon over some of the caramel, then top with a scoop of ice cream.

BANOFFEE (BANANA TOFFEE) PIE

Steps:

• Place unopened can of condensed milk in a large pot; cover with water. Bring to boil; reduce to a simmer. Cover pot with lid and simmer for 3 hours to make the toffee, checking periodically to ensure the can is still immersed and adding more water as needed.
• Remove can from the pot and allow to cool until safe to handle. Rinse with cold running water for 10 minutes to speed up cooling.
• Open carefully and stir toffee until smooth. Spread toffee over the bottom of the prepared graham pie crust. Chill for at least 1 hour.
• Layer sliced bananas on top of the toffee. Beat cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar and continue to beat until fluffy. Spread whipped cream over bananas.

TOFFEE BANANAS WITH CUSTARD

Steps:

• Heat the sugar in a pan until dissolved and a caramel has formed.
• add butter, to form a toffee sauce.
• add the banana to the pan and shake to coat in toffee.
• heat 1-2 minutes.
• Custard:.
• heat the cream and milk in a pan until just coming to the boil.
• remove from heat.
• whisk egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl to combine.
• gradually pour the hot milk in, whisking constantly.
• return the mixture to the pan, stirring constantly.
• gently warm the custard through until thickened.
• spoon the toffee bananas onto a serving plate and pour custard over.
• serve.

BANANA TOFFEE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard-size muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
• Combine the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Cream on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add the egg and banana puree. Cream for an additional 3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl, and then add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix for 30 seconds on low speed. Add the toffee bits and buttermilk. Stir on low speed until combined.
• Fill the prepared cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until golden brown and baked through, about 25 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the filling: Stir the dulce de leche and toffee bits together until fully combined. Place in a pastry bag with a round tip large enough to allow the toffee bits to pass through without becoming lodged.
• For the icing: In a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese and mix on medium-high speed until well combined and lump free. Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl and add the powdered sugar. Stir on low speed until well combined. Add the vanilla extract and beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Remove from the mixer and stir in the dulce de leche in by hand to create a marbled appearance. Place in a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip.
• To assemble: Using an apple corer, remove the center core of the cupcakes and fill with dulce de leche toffee filling. Pipe the caramel cream cheese icing generously on top of each cupcake. Using a paring knife, gently poke the freeze-dried ice cream to create separated chunks. Place 4 chunks on top of each cupcake. Dredge the outer rim of each cupcake in the miniature chocolate chips.

BANANA & CUSTARD POTS

Steps:

• Put the coffee into a shallow dish and dissolve in 150ml boiling water. Set out 4 sundae glasses or teacups. Whisk together the mascarpone, custard, sugar and 1 tbsp Marsala, if using, until smooth. Dip a couple of sponge fingers into the now cooled coffee for a few secs until soaked but not soggy, then put into the bottom of one of the glasses, breaking them to fit if needed. Repeat, using enough fingers to make a decent layer of sponge at the bottom of each glass. Drizzle with remaining Marsala, if using.
• Spoon over a layer of the mascarpone custard, then top with some sliced banana and a sprinkling of chocolate. Repeat the layers, then chill for 10 mins before serving.

BAILEYS BANANA TRIFLES

Steps:

• Mix the cream with 1 tbsp Baileys, and set aside. Divide the brownie pieces between 6 glasses, then drizzle each with 1 tbsp Baileys. Top with the sliced bananas, custard and Baileys cream, dividing equally, then drizzle with toffee sauce and finish with grated chocolate. Can be made a few hours ahead.

CHINESE TOFFEE BANANA

Steps:

• Prepare a batter by mixing together egg, flour, cornflour, custard powder and a little water (to make a runny batter).
• Heat oil in a wok, dip the banana pieces in the batter and deep fry.
• Remove, drain excess oil and keep aside.
• In a separate pot, cook the castor sugar along with water and oil till it turns golden in colour.
• Dip the friend banana pieces in the sugar syrup to coat evenly.
• Remove drain excess syrup and keep aside.
• Sprinkle sesame sees on top and dip in ice water for a few minutes.
• Remove and serve.

STICKY TOFFEE BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Butter and line a 900g loaf tin with a strip of baking parchment.
• Beat the butter and both sugars in a bowl for 5 mins with an electric whisk until really fluffy. Whisk the eggs, banana and yogurt in a separate bowl until mostly smooth, then whisk this into the butter and sugar mixture. Fold in the flour and baking powder until just combined, then fold in the dates and nuts. Spoon into the tin, smooth over the top and bake for 1 hr-1 hr 15 mins until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins, then lift out using the strip of parchment. You can serve it warm now, or leave to cool completely on a wire rack. Will keep for four days in an airtight container.
• Meanwhile, make the toffee sauce. Put the sugar in a heavy-based frying pan and melt over a medium-low heat until light golden brown and liquid - don't stir, just tilt the pan to melt the sugar. Carefully whisk in the butter until smooth, then pour in the cream slowly and bring to a bubble. Mix until the sauce is smooth and shiny. Pour into a heatproof bowl, cover and leave to cool to room temperature.
• For the brittle, put the sugar in a frying pan with 2 tbsp water over a medium heat, stir briefly, then simmer for 10 mins until the caramel turns amber. Don't stir after the initial mix, just tilt the pan to get an even deep golden colour.
• Meanwhile, line a baking tray with baking parchment. Carefully stir the nuts, banana chips and salt into the caramel, until well coated, then pour onto the tray. Tip the tray (or use a spoon) to make sure the nuts are in a single layer - or they will be harder to separate later. Leave to cool completely before breaking the brittle into shards.
• Stir the toffee sauce to loosen if it's become stiff, or warm for a few seconds in the microwave (add a splash more cream if you need to), then drizzle over the cake so it drips down the sides. Top with the shards of brittle. Will keep for two days in an airtight container.

ORANGE CUSTARD SOUFFLé WITH BANANA AND TOFFEE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350F (180C/gas 4).
• Butter four ramekin dishes, and sprinkle some sugar inside each, using the tablespoon of superfine sugar.
• Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar and the orange zest with the custard.
• Whisk the egg whites in a large, perfectly dry bowl until stiff. Using a large metal spoon, gently fold the egg whites into the custard.
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and risen.
• Meanwhile, to make the sauce, place all the ingredients into a pan and bring to the boil, stirring until smooth. Set aside and keep warm.
• Peel the bananas and slice in half lengthways. Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and add the remaining ounce of butter. When it becomes golden brown, add a sprinkling of brown sugar and the halved bananas. Saute the bananas on both sides until nice and golden, taking care not to break them.
• To serve, arrange the warm bananas on individual plates with the souffle on the side. Pour the warm toffee sauce over the bananas and serve with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. If desired, decorate with a mint sprig.