Crazy for Banana’s….
This week at the grocery store I found bananas on special. Actually, what I found was a 5 pound bag of banana’s that were just about to become “ripe” or in my terms “just perfect.” I think I got the entire bag for a buck forty nine.
I came home and baked five loaves of banana nut bread. Oh yummy, yummy.
The holidays really are my favorite time of year. I do lots of baking and canning and banana bread although really not holiday related, everyone loves it.
Thanksgiving morning I decided I was going to make Banana Nut French Toast. The first thing I did was Wednesday night before bed, I sliced a loaf of the banana bread. As you can see, I used nice thick slices. Now this bread is pretty dense so I really didn’t need to worry about it falling apart but I made thick slices anyway.
Thursday morning with the bread a little stale from being out all night, I mixed up my egg wash. 4 eggs, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (depending on the flavor your looking for) and a cap-full of vanilla extract. Mix well. Now pour in your milk, cream or half n half. I use the later.
**Tip** Mixing your eggs, cinnamon and vanilla before adding the milk ensures your spices will be well incorporated.
Next, dredge your banana nut bread in the egg wash, let set a few seconds and then place in a frying pan or griddle that has a fair amount of melted butter in it. Cook the french toast until both sides are golden brown. Set aside.
Next, I took 2 tablespoons each of butter and dark brown sugar. I melted the butter, then added the sugar. On a medium heat, stir the sugar until it is completely dissolved. Add in two or three sliced bananas. Let the bananas cook in the sugar for 3 - 4 minutes stirring occasionally.
When the bananas are soft, scoop your sugar and banana mixture over your french toast, top with a touch of whipped cream if you’d like.
Seeing as how this is really a breakfast or desert for special occasions, go ahead and indulge yourself. The taste is so incredible. The vanilla in the egg wash really comes through in this dish.
Enjoy and eat more bananas.
