My Favorite Brazilian Dessert (so far)

Fried bananas with cinnamon and ice cream and drizzled with chocolate

1. this is so easy to make (which is always a plus)
2. it's delicious!
3.  it has fruit in it, so it's healthy (right??)

Slice the bananas, saute them in butter (let them stay on one side long enough to caramelize a little before flipping).  Melt some chocolate (microwave or double broiler). Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (I used 2tsp sugar mixed with 1tsp cinnamon but use whatever ratio you prefer). Drizzle with the chocolate and top with a scoop of vanilla or pistachio ice cream. Heavenly!

Terrible picture but taking pictures is the last thing on my mind when this is ready to eat!

Chocolate Banana Cranberry Bread

I love the bananas here.  I mean, I love bananas period but here they seem more flavorful and a little sweeter.

So, we had a couple bananas that were getting pretty ripe and I decided banana bread would be perfect. I also have a lot of dried cranberries and some chocolate and thought that might all work together.  And it did!   As I sit here typing this, I can't wait for my afternoon coffee so I have an excuse to have another delicious slice.

Here's the recipe --

1/4 cup softened unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 small bananas chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate (or you can use chocolate chips)
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, sifted
1/2 teaspoon baking soda, sifted
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat to 350.  Butter or spray a loaf pan.  Cream sugar and butter together.  Add the eggs, one at time, and mix between each one. Fold in the bananas, cranberries and chocolate, water and vanilla.  Add everything else and mix just until its incorporated.  You don't want to over mix it. Bake for about an hour - until the top is nicely brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes then loosen with a knife and put on a pretty dish.

I really like this bread but I think I'll use more chocolate next time. And maybe throw in some nuts.