i like: hog island oysters. avocados. banana gelato from pappalecco. finding unexpected money in my pocket. extra virgin olive oil. good sea salt. banana pudding, as a term of endearment. chubby babies. big sur. streusel. andy warhol's banana album cover for the velvet underground. lemon zest. banana-flavored taffy. dogs with overbites. cherrios with bananas. picnics with you. bananas with bananas. fish taco stands. bananagrams. banoffee pie. stevie nicks. people exclaiming "that's bananas!" overripe bananas.
there is a 1 in 2 chance that if i like something, it has to do with bananas. they are manna from earth, rich in potassium, manganese, dietary fiber, and amino acids, and known to boost memory, not to mention mood. like most produce, they were designed for our health and happiness. bananas are just extra-inspired. almost sensual in texture (certainly in shape), they lend the most sunny perfume to any dish you put them in. talking about them brings out my inner bubba gump; my appetite knows no bounds. nothing beats the ritual of peeling and eating a perfect banana, except perhaps joining them with mountains of whipped cream and buttery pie crust. i've done my share of banana research. a list of favorites follows.
10+ things to do with bananas
1. quick caramelized bananas: slice a banana in half lengthwise, sprinkle liberally with sugar and cinnamon and slip it under the broiler. serve solo, or with yogurt.
2. convincing evidence that things that start with the same letter taste good together: banana brown butter cake with chocolate chips from nicole rees at fine cooking. (recipe)
3. make plaintain chips. shower with sea salt and a bold squeeze of lime. (recipe)
4. david lebovitz loves bananas & treats them so right: banana-brown sugar ice cream (recipe). his recipe for banana souffle in ready for dessert makes me spin on the name alone.
5. overripe bananas? the obvious answer: banana bread! a recipe exists for every mood, personality, and occasion. here are a few favorites:
* for the kid in you: peanut butter banana bread from joy the baker (recipe)
* for serving on fine china: molly of orangette's banana bread with chocolate & crystallized ginger (recipe)
* for the "hair of the dog" crowd: morning-after banana bread with espresso & whisky from chez pim (recipe)
* for the purist: merrill of food52's banana bread from an old cookbook, forum feasts (recipe)
* for the naturalist: healthy cherry, banana, and oatmeal breakfast bread from susan of flood blogga (recipe)
6. make a raw chocolate-banana shake a la my partner in crime, anita lee: almond or cashew milk, raw chocolate or cocoa nibs, frozen banana, dates, cinammon & few cubes of ice. blend like crazy & drink with a straw.
7. fritter 'em: pineapple & banana fritters from gourmet magazine are what i imagine they sell at the county fair in waikiki (recipe), or if you like it double hot try spicy banana fritters (hint: they get a nice slick of sriracha rooster sauce) from a cozy kitchen (recipe)
8. bananas for dinner? bring it. thai-style halibut with banana curry & peanuts gives breakfast a run for its money (recipe). or, try steaming shrimp in banana leaves with ginger and herbs.
9. it might not be pumpkin pie season, but that wouldn't stop me from making the barefoot contessa's pumpkin banana mousse tart, and it shouldn't stop you. one of my all time favorite desserts (recipe). for the classicists, nothing tops banana cream pie, and this recipe from the san francisco chronicle is no exception (recipe).
10. when in doubt, do as the king did. elvis was famous for blue suede shoes and banana, peanut butter & bacon sandwiches. legend has it they were served on griddled hawaiian bread and drizzled with honey.