Vietnamese Style Fried Stuffed Bananas,”Great Food!” cookbook
Some years ago, I spent time in Hanoi working on a program for Vietnamese adoptions.
For meals, between the bursting freshness of vegetables and herbs combined with various ingredients served piping hot with subtly accented French culinary influence of the countries past, it seemed impossible to get a less than a perfectly satisfying meal of culinary excellence throughout my entire trip.
Many among the homemade Vietnamese delectable delights line along the narrow streets rapidly prepared to order by women, some in conical hats or men standing right in front of two story row house residences where beyond varying street foods such as the traditional Pho, sold the sweet treat, Chuoi Chen, Fried Bananas.
While there are lots of batter varieties and topped coatings among the Chuoi Chen I was recently delighted to prepare a new version of the creamy, sugary sweet, fried fruit sliced and stuffed between chopped pecans and coconut. The recipe was enticingly written as one among the broad collection included in the ‘Great Food!’ cookbook sent to me for review a few months back as part of the California Chefs collection of newly published cookbooks through Chefs Press, Inc.
The ‘Great Food!’ cookbook, written through one of San Diego’s most popular cooking schools called ‘Great News!’ got its start over twenty years ago being the first of its kind selling quality cookware items before eventually developing into a premier gourmet destination of today. Within its pages Great Food cookbook shares all Four Seasons of the ‘Great News!’ Cookware and Cooking School’s Best Classes, Recipes, Equipment, Techniques, and Tips.
Along with a diverse collection of recipes provided in the book, Great Food is much a of ‘How To’ book providing tips for both amateurs and novices alike educating in cooking techniques. While I plan to make some other dishes shared within the pages of the cookbook the fried stuffed bananas sprinkled with white powdered sugar made life seem real sweet even despite its bits of gooey mess in preparation.
In this recipe however, before sprinkling on the 10x the bananas are transferred to a saute pan, simmered in rum and then lit flambe style which adds a bit of elegance and drama.
While ‘Great Food!’ cookbook lists the Vietnamese Fried Bananas under the spring section of the book, I find these perfect as a unique delight to share with a few intimate friends for winter brunch. Alternatively, these sugary delights also seem perfect as a stay in your pajamas and prepare this treat with the children or those children at heart on some grey, snowy day when dropping temperatures make one desire some indoor warmth, appreciating those rare quiet moments combining solitude with flavorful treasures and fun.
‘Great Food!’ Four Seasons of the Best Classes, Recipes, Equipment, Techniques and Tips from the Great News! Cooking School may be purchased through Chefs Press or Amazon.
Vietnamese Style Fried Stuffed Bananas,"Great Food!" cookbook
Notes
Vietnamese Chuoi Chien, Fried Stuffed Bananas
Recipe from Cookbook: Great News! Cooking School Great Food! Four Seasons of the Best Classes, Recipes, Equipment, Techniques, and Tips From Great News! Cooking School
Ingredients
- For The Batter:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1/8 cup cornstarch, sifted
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- For The Filling:
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Pecans, rough chopped
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons sweetened coconut flakes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons water
- For the Bananas:
- 2-3 bananas, firm and smaller size
- 1/4 cup cornstarch for dredging stuffed bananas before dipping into the batter
- Preparing and Finishing Fried Bananas:
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1/4 cup rum, optional
- 1/4 cup sifted Powdered Sugar for sprinkling on top of fried stuffed bananas
Instructions
- Preparing the Batter: Into a medium size mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Stir in the water and oil blending to a smooth consistency
- Preparing the Filling: Into a food processor pulse together the pecans, coconut, vanilla extract and water until smooth
- Preparing the Bananas: Peel bananas, cut in half crosswise, then slice in half lengthwise keeping both of the pieces together. Place a half tablespoon of the pecan coconut filling across one slice of the banana and top it with its matching piece. When each of the banana halves have been stuffed with the pecan mixture, lightly dredge each in the cornstarch, transfer to a baking sheet
- Frying the Bananas: Heat oil in a deep fryer or if using a nonstick pan fill oil about two inches in pan. Dip each banana into the batter, shake off the excess, gently set into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on all sides between 2-4 minutes each side. Transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet
- Flambéing the Stuffed Bananas: Set fried bananas into a stainless steel saute pan over medium heat. Pour the rum over the bananas and bring to a simmer. Carefully light the rum and let the fire burn until it goes out. Transfer bananas to a serving plate and dust with powdered sugar
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