NUTS FOR BANANAS

Tweet


This isn't so much a recipe as it was an idea I thought might work - and it seems it did the trick. Now I know I'm not the first person in the world to think that covering a piece of fruit in chocolate and letting it set is a marvellous idea, but I decided to take it one step further.

I'll tell you straight - this recipe basically involves getting a banana, cutting it in half, dipping it in chocolate, then crushed nuts and then popping it into the freezer. Really not reinventing the wheel. But the end result is a delicious ice-cream alternative - the bananas are perfect on a summer day and they're slightly better for you than an ice-cream - so why not?

Ingredients
Serves 4

• 2 x slightly over ripe large bananas cut in half
• 1 cup crushed peanuts
• 150g dark chocolate (I used Green & Black's)
• 4 x tbsp light thickened cream
• 2 x tbsp water
• 4 x skewers

The Method
Peel bananas and cut them in half. Remove any rough or stringy bits. Pop a skewer in half way or until you can hold up the banana like a lollipop.

In a bowl, place chopped up dark chocolate or dark chocolate bits and the thickened cream. Put in the microwave and heat on high for 2 minutes. Take the bowl out of the microwave carefully, add water and stir vigorously. This is a cheats chocolate ganache - and tastes just as good.

Get a plate and spread crushsed peanuts over it, dip bananas or spoon over the chocolate mix ensuring it's coated well, then roll them on the peanut plate until you get a nice covering of nuts. Put on a prepared tray and then place in the freezer in an airtight container. Freeze for at least 2 hours.

When ready to eat it, take it out of the freezer wait a minute or two (if you can) for the banana to get to room temperature and go for it.