Bananas Foster

So here's the story behind this recipe. It's really great...are you ready? There is no story. I'm a horrible baker. I cannot bake, nor can I do anything that requires any type of math or exact measurement. One half teaspoon of baking stuff, 2 tablespoons of rising stuff...blah blah blah. I can't do any of that. I'm a "pinch-of-this, bit-of-that" kinda gal. This recipe requires very little measuring and almost no effort. It also happens to be one of my father's favorites. Is there a fire hazard attached to this recipe? Sure! All things awesome come with some sort of hazard. I managed to do this one with a little tweaking of my own (it actually makes the recipe easier) while refraining from setting the kitchen on fire. All in all, a good day and a delicious result. Here is Bananas Foster like you've never had before. —Jill

You will need:

 3 bananas (sliced or cut in half lengthwise)

1/2 cup brown sugar (I use Splenda brown sugar blend)

1 tsp cinnamon

4 tbsps of butter

1 pinch of salt

1 shot glass of dark rum (you can use 2 shots if you really like the taste of rum) 

Your favorite vanilla ice cream

Melt the butter on low heat in a large saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir until sugar is dissolved.

Add the bananas. Coat all the bananas in the brown sugar butter sauce. Add the rum.

DISCLAIMER— This next part can be a little dangerous because it involves fire. Kids: Do not try this on your own! Ask a parent to help you.

Remove the saucepan from the stove away from the heat source. With a long lighter, ignite the bananas in the sauce pan. This will burn off the alcohol. It's not a lot of alcohol so you should only get a small purple flame. This should last a few seconds. If you'd rather not do this part, you can skip it.

You can place your favorite vanilla ice cream in a bowl and spoon the bananas foster over the ice cream or you can make it an elegant dessert by serving it in a chilled wine glass and a dollop of whipped cream along side your favorite coffee. Enjoy!

Serves: 6