🧂 Ingredients

• 2 ripe but firm bananas
• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup dark rum
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• vanilla ice cream

📖 Instructions

Serves: 2–4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Skill Level: Easy (but watch the flames!)

🍯 Make the Caramel Base
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Cook, stirring constantly, until it becomes a thick, bubbling sauce (about 2–3 minutes).

🍌 Add the Bananas
Add the sliced bananas to the sauce.
Cook gently for 1–2 minutes per side, just until softened and coated in caramel—don't overcook.

🔥 Flambé (Optional but Fun!)
Carefully pour in the rum and reduce the heat slightly.
If you're flambéing:
Stand back and use a long lighter to ignite the rum vapors.
Let the flames burn off naturally (takes a few seconds).
Safety Tip: Never pour rum from the bottle directly into a hot pan.
If you’re skipping the flambé, simply simmer for 1–2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.

🍨 Serve Warm
Spoon the warm bananas and sauce over scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Serve immediately and enjoy the hot-and-cold magic!

💡 Optional Add-Ons
Add toasted pecans or walnuts for crunch
A splash of banana liqueur for extra depth
Serve over pound cake or crepes for a fancier twist

🍷 Best Wine Pairings for Bananas Foster:
1. Sauternes (France)
🍯 Flavor: Honeyed, with notes of apricot and tropical fruit.

2. Tokaji Aszú (Hungary)
🍊 Flavor: Rich, golden, with notes of dried fruit, citrus, and spice.

3. Late Harvest Riesling
🍎 Flavor: Ripe apple, honey, and stone fruit with bright acidity.

4. Vin Santo (Italy)
🍇 Flavor: Nutty, caramel-like, with dried fruit notes.

5. Pedro Ximénez Sherry (PX)
🍫 Flavor: Syrupy, with intense notes of raisins, dates, and molasses.

🍸 Bonus: Pair with a Rum-Based Cocktail
Since Bananas Foster is flambéed in dark rum, a small pour of the same rum or a rum old fashioned can echo and elevate the dish.