Recipe Mutiny: 02/27/19

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

11 Ways to Get Your Bananas Foster on for Mardi Gras

It’s Carnival season in New Orleans: a period of celebration, indulgence, and debauchery leading up to the big throwdown—Mardi Gras—all in preparation for Lent’s 40 days of penance, fasting, and denial. King cake is the traditional sweet of choice during Carnival, but the classic sugared brioche ring is practically puritan compared to the boozy, flaming bananas Foster, New Orleans‘ other renowned dessert. If you’re looking for a splurge to really repent the day after Mardi Gras, try the liquor-flambéed original or one of these oddball riffs on the classic found around town and beyond.

One note of caution: Please be careful if you plan to flame your ‘nanas. Have a kitchen fire extinguisher handy and keep your hands and eyebrows clear of the pan if you’re new to flambéing. The liquor burns off quickly, but it does flare up.

If you have issues with open flames, animal ingredients, and/or alcohol and need to adapt any of these recipes, here are a few additional tips:

If you don’t want to flambé, try making baked bananas Foster in the oven; they’ll still be soft, sticky, and delicious.
If you need a vegan bananas Foster, just swap in coconut oil for the butter; luckily, any coconut flavor works perfectly with banana!
If you don’t want to use rum, you can add that classic flavor with rum extract—which is not 100 percent alcohol-free, but does contain just a tiny fraction of the usual amount. If that’s still a deal-breaker, try this paleo bananas Foster recipe that’s free of booze.

Now, on to the recipes!

1. The Original: Brennan’s Bananas Foster

New Orleans Brennan's Bananas Foster recipe

Kerri McCaffety

No mention of bananas Foster is proper without crediting Brennan’s restaurant and the siblings who started a family restaurant dynasty in New Orleans, Owen and Ella Brennan. Ella, matriarch of the Commander’s Palace family of restaurants, recalled in 2014 how the dish was created for her brother’s first restaurant, the Vieux Carre on Bourbon Street.

Ingredients:

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 ounces (1/4 cup) banana liqueur
1/2 banana per diner, peeled and sliced in half
1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) aged rum
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Instructions:

1. Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan set over medium heat. As the butter melts, add the banana liqueur and stir to combine.

2. As the sauce starts to cook, add the bananas to the pan. Cook the bananas until they begin to soften (about 1 to 2 minutes).

3. Tilt the pan back to slightly heat the far edge. Once hot, carefully add the rum and tilt the pan toward the flame to ignite the rum. Stir the sauce to ensure that all of the alcohol cooks out.

4. Serve the cooked bananas over ice cream and top with the sauce in the pan.

Tramontina Gourmet Stainless Steel Frying Pan, $16.25 at Walmart

Any stainless steel pan that's not too shallow is suitable for flambeing, but be wary of nonstick coatings and cast iron (you don't want to damage the finish or seasoning).

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2. Langlois Culinary Crossroads Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Langlois

Langlois, New Orleans’ Cajun/Creole cooking demo restaurant, gilds this decadent dessert by folding the caramelized bananas and sauce into a rich, custard-y bread pudding that’s crisp outside and creamy inside.

Ingredients:

Nonstick spray
9 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar, light brown, packed and divided
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 firm, ripe bananas, sliced
1/4 cup banana liqueur
1/2 cup dark rum
3 cups heavy cream
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk
Pinch of kosher salt
15 cups day-old French bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat the muffin pan with nonstick spray. Melt the butter in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 cup of the brown sugar and the cinnamon. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the bananas and cook on both sides, turning until they start to soften and brown, about 3 minutes.

2. Add the banana liqueur and stir to blend. Carefully add the rum and shake the pan back and forth until the mixture flames. Carefully spoon the sauce over the bananas until the flame burns out. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool.

3. Combine the heavy cream, eggs, vanilla, milk, salt, and remaining brown sugar in a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the bread cubes. Pour the banana caramel mixture over the bread and gently fold the ingredients until the bread is thoroughly soaked. Fill the muffin pan cups three-quarters full. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes.

Mainstays 12-Cup Muffin Pan, $4.96 at Walmart

Make individual servings of bread pudding in your muffin pan.

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3. Cafe Noma Boozy Bananas Foster Mini Cupcakes

Colleen Rush

The hooch used in classic bananas Foster goes up in flames, but these one-bite cupcakes inspired by the dessert get their name honestly: The rum syrup doesn’t cook off. It soaks into the cupcakes and is a key component in the frosting. If you want to make a G-rated version, try the Bananas Foster Cupcakes from Louisiana Cookin‘—the brown butter frosting makes up for the lack of liquor.

Rum Syrup Ingredients:

1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dark rum
1/4 cup banana liqueur

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat and cook until the alcohol evaporates, about 5 minutes. This syrup will ignite as it heats—be sure to keep arm’s distance from the saucepan.

Fosters Butter Cream Icing Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup rum syrup

Instructions:

1. Combine the powdered sugar, butter, and rum syrup in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Whip the mixture until it is light and airy.

Bananas Foster Cupcake Batter Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups ripe banana
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the banana and sugar and mash until smooth. Add the vegetable oil and eggs to the banana mixture and stir until smooth and blended. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and stir until combined.

2. Line a mini muffin pan with paper baking cups and fill each cup three-quarters full with the cupcake batter. Bake at 300°F until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cupcakes comes out clean, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the muffin pan and allow them to cool. Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the rum syrup (the syrup can be drizzled on top for an extra kick). With a pastry bag, pipe a dollop of the icing onto each cupcake. The cupcakes can be finished with chopped banana chips.

Suntake Silicone Mini Muffin Pans, 2 for $13.99 on Amazon

Non-stick silicone baking cups means your mini muffins pop right out.

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4. Bananas Foster Ice Cream

She Wears Many Hats

Instead of serving bananas Foster over ice cream, why not mix it right in? Use coconut rum for a tropical twist if you like; either way, flaming it is optional. Would it be too over the top to use this in our Bananas Foster Milkshake recipe? Maybe not for Mardi Gras, since it is a celebratory occasion… Get the Bananas Foster Ice Cream recipe.

5. Bananas Foster French Toast

A Mindfull Mom

You’ll find bananas Foster French toast on a few breakfast menus around New Orleans, but The Ruby Slipper café, where it’s called bananas Foster pain perdu, does it best. If you don’t live in New Orleans, you can still hack it at home; just don’t skimp on the rum, butter, or sugar. Get the Bananas Foster French Toast.

6. Baked Bananas Foster Doughnuts

Sweet C’s Designs

All the flavors you love in bananas Foster, but reworked for breakfast—and the doughnuts are baked, which makes them easier and a little healthier too. Plus, using non-alcoholic butter-rum syrup means they’re okay to eat on the way to work. Get the Baked Bananas Foster Doughnuts recipe.

7. Bananas Foster Coffee Cake

Spicy Southern Kitchen

Proving there’s pretty much no genre of breakfast or dessert you can’t bananas Foster–ize, Spicy Southern Kitchen ups the ante with a crumbly, crunchy pecan topping to go along with the rum sauce icing on this NOLA-accented coffee cake. Get the Bananas Foster Coffee Cake recipe.

8. Bananas Foster Banana Bread

Cookies and Cups

Okay, this is one of those decadent banana bread recipes that straddles the line between bread and banana cake, but it’s delicious, so who really cares what you call it? (Although, for something a bit more restrained, try this simpler, streusel-topped bananas Foster banana bread recipe.) Both of them do include rum, so maybe don’t have too big a slice for breakfast unless it’s the weekend. Get the Bananas Foster Banana Bread recipe.

9. Bananas Foster Butter Cake

Of Batter and Dough

Clearly a dessert and making no bones about it, witness the cultural mashup of this bananas Foster-influenced gooey butter cake—it’s New Orleans meets St. Louis. And it’s swoon-worthy for sure. Get the Bananas Foster Butter Cake recipe.

10. Bananas Foster Crepe Cake

For the Love of the South

What’s better than a flaming pan of rum- and sugar-soaked bananas? For the Love of the South’s tower of bananas Foster crepes. It’s one of the best uses for slightly overripe bananas because the mixture is puréed before it’s layered between the crepes. Get the Bananas Foster Crepe Cake recipe.

11. Tableau’s Bananas Foster Cocktail

Tableau

Let’s just skip the part where you burn off the booze and add even more liquor and some heavy cream, m’kay? Tableau in the French Quarter shook up this adult dessert beverage in 2015, but it still tastes good.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces Giffard Banane du Bresil
1 ounce heavy cream
1/2 ounce Bayou Satsuma Rum
6 drops ‘Elemakule Tiki Bitters

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients and strain into a coupe glass rimmed with turbinado sugar. Garnish with a slice of banana cut on the bias.

Giffard Banane Du Bresil Liqueur on Drizly (price varies)

An intensely aromatic Cognac-based spirit well worth adding to your bar cart.

Check Availability

Check out some more traditional New Orleans cocktails, and more Mardi Gras recipes—plus other great bites, tips, and tricks at our Mardi Gras headquarters. And let the good times roll!

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.

This post was originally published on February 6, 2015 and was updated with new images, links, and text on February 27, 2019.

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Is the Paleo Diet Worth Trying?

The History of Bulletproof Coffee

Like green juice or a wheatgrass shot, bulletproof coffee is both a beverage and a lifestyle statement. A mixture of coffee, butter (sometimes ghee), and coconut oil (or MCT oil), this cult favorite isn’t the same old java you can get at any coffee stand. And the mental and physical benefits it promises are way beyond what a caffeine buzz can do for you. So where did it come from? Why do people drink it? And is it related to the keto diet at all? Also, butter in your coffee? Seriously? We answer these questions and more. Spoiler alert: Don’t toss your French press just yet.

What Is Bulletproof Coffee?

Concocted by Dave Asprey, an American entrepreneur and self-described “bio-hacker,” Bulletproof coffee is designed to be an on-the-go alternative to breakfast that gives your body a dose of healthy fats and nutrients. Asprey introduced the concept in 2011 and the name “Bulletproof coffee” came from the line of wellness products and supplements originated by Asprey. But as the popularity of the breakfast beverage grew among gym fanatics and other early-adopters, now the term applies to any coffee concocted in roughly the same ratio as Asprey’s original recipe: 8-12 ounces brewed coffee, mixed with one to two tablespoons coconut oil (or MCT oil), and one to two tablespoons of grassfed butter or ghee. The mixture should then be blended to help emulsify it (simply mixing it will cause the fat and liquid to quickly separate) before drinking.

Bulletproof coffee was originally designed to complement the keto diet, or a low-carb, high fat diet. As a meal replacement, the fat in the butter and coconut oil provides necessary fuel to the body while allegedly minimizing hunger cravings thanks to the ingredient combo. In addition, Bulletproof coffee in the AM is supposed to keep your body in ketosis—the metabolic state where your body is burning fat rather than glucose—which is why it’s popular with people on the keto diet. The concoction looks like a foamy latte and, naturally, has a rich and creamy texture.

Where Did Bulletproof Coffee Even Come From?

While Asprey monetized the concept and introduced it to the Western world, the concept of merging a caffeinated beverage with high-fat solids is hardly new. Asprey stumbled on the concept while trekking through the Himalayas. He found the yak butter tea offered to him by TIbetan hosts helped him navigate the harsh climate and high altitude of the Himalayas. Upon Asprey’s return to the United States, he tinkered with the recipe, substituting coffee for tea, grass-fed butter for yak milk, and adding coconut oil (marketed as Brain Octane Oil by Bulletproof).

While Asprey recommends that individuals use his line of Bulletproof products to create the original Bulletproof coffee, the name “bulletproof coffee” has been used by food bloggers, fitness enthusiasts, and cafes across the globe. To avoid trademark infringement, this concoction is sometimes called Butter Coffee on a menu and is a staple of paleo-friendly dining establishments, like Caveman Coffee in New York City or Grass Fed Coffee in Los Angeles.

Keto + Coffee

A Comprehensive Overview of the Keto Diet

The Best Coffee Subscriptions to Try in 2019

The Best MCT Oils, According to Keto Pros

While it’s standard for Bulletproof coffee to contain oil, butter, and coffee, some individuals choose to add other spices, supplements, and taste enhancers to the blend. Additions to Bulletproof coffee can include collagen protein powder, turmeric, chocolate powder, vanilla powder, and cinnamon.

Bulletproof coffee is said to promote weight loss, stave off hunger pangs, maximize mental efficiency, and reduce the feeling of “brain fog.” While anecdotal evidence abounds, there has been limited research on the effects of Bulletproof coffee.

Is Bulletproof Coffee Healthy?

The high-fat coffee concept has some nutritionists shaking their heads. Like any high-fat, low-carb diet, many experts caution that those with high blood pressure or cholesterol speak with their doctor before trying a keto or keto-type diet. And even though the ingredients—coconut oil, grass-fed butter—may be “healthy,’ they’re also high in saturated fats and have been found in at least one study to cause a spike in cholesterol after being incorporated into a diet.

How many calories are in a cup of Bulletproof coffee? Almost 500 in a 12-ounce cup, with nearly 100 percent of those calories coming from saturated fat. And even though you may feel like you’re skipping breakfast, the recipe means you’re “eating” two sticks a week if you have the drink every day.

While not being hungry is described as a benefit of the drink, the downside is that a person may be missing out on getting a daily dose of necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber that could be found in a more balanced breakfast.

What’s Next For Bulletproof Coffee?

If you haven’t tried Bulletproof coffee, or are skeptical to DIY it in your kitchen, you can get pre-made Bulletproof coffee at grocery stores including Whole Foods. Whole Foods cafes in New York City have freshly-brewed Bulletproof coffee on the menus in their cafes, and Bulletproof Cafes are popping up in the United States with three locations: Seattle, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles.

Organic Glazed Ceramic Belly Mugs, 3 for $20.97 at World Market

Sip in stye with these lovely mugs, whatever your hot drink of choice.

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Related Video: How to Make Ultimate Keto Coffee

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The Ultimate Guide to Almond Flour

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Chowhound Recommends: Best Products to Celebrate Women’s History Month

Chowhound Recommends: women-owned snack companies best snacks

Welcome to Chowhound Recommends, Chowhound’s new weekly series where our staff shares our favorite food items around a central theme. Since March is Women’s History Month, this week we’re celebrating the kick-off by picking our favorite products created by women. Our recommendations check all the boxes—cute packaging, high-quality ingredients, and unique flavors.

As food writers, editors, producers, and social media managers, we’re constantly scouring the market for the latest and greatest products. And when we find a product we love, we want to shout it from the rooftops! We’re packaging up our weekly finds and sharing them with you, because we think you’ll love them too. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @Chowhound to catch us talking about our favorite products every Wednesday. Keep reading to see our girl power picks for this week!

Guillermo Riveros, Senior Video Producer

Product Pick: Fusion Jerky

Lauren Zaser

This week I want to celebrate a BOSS business owner—KaiYen Mai! She comes from a family of Asian-style jerky makers and started her own business called Fusion Jerky.

Asian-style jerky is a little different from the American version we all know, and has a little less shelf-life as well, but that is because of its all natural ingredients. Her idea is to offer a healthier jerky (no preservatives or artificial flavors) with multiple flavors and protein options. It also comes in fun packaging that feels less male-oriented than the other products out in the market. There are eight flavors—try them all, they’re all amazing!

Fusion Jerky Poultry Variety 4 Pack, $25.99 on Amazon

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Chipotle Lime Beef Jerky 2.75 oz, $6.99 on FusionJerky.com

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Lauren Zaser, Social Media Strategist

Product Pick: BRINS Jams

Lauren Zaser

These jams and jellies from BRINS in Brooklyn have so many unusual flavors in them. Saffron, Chai, and Lemongrass?! You’ll seriously impress all your friends when you bring them over for a wine and cheese night. I especially like the Banana Jam. I was at Di Bruno Bros. (an insanely good cheese store in the Italian Market in Philadelphia) when they introduced me to this jam and paired it with gouda. The combination was like Bananas Foster—creamy, sweet, and vanilla-y, but with a punch. I was hooked! All of them have about five ingredients in them so you can feel good about what’s in them.

Banana Jam 7.5 oz, $8.99 on BRINSjam.com

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Kristin Cassidy, Director of Special Products

Product Pick: Kate Weiser Chocolates

Lauren Zaser

I’m celebrating one of my favorite women in food, Kate Weiser, by recommending her hand-painted gourmet chocolates for my pick this week. Her chocolate masterpieces are almost too pretty to eat. If I had to pick my three favorite flavors, I’d highlight Key Lime Pie, Truffle Honey, and Sweet Potato. Sweet Potato might sound a bit quirky, but the milk chocolate caramel ganache pairs so beautifully with the sweet potato puree and cognac flavors it makes for a uniquely whimsical sweet treat. Kate’s based in Dallas but ships nationally and can also be found on Amazon. Even Oprah picked her for one of her favorite things, so you know she’s legit.

Kate Weiser Chocolate 6 Piece Artist Collection, $18.00 on Amazon

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Kate Weiser Chocolate 15 Piece Artist Collection, $40.00 at Kate Weiser Chocolate

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What is the Difference Between Beignets and Zeppoles?

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is an experience, but no trip to NOLA can compete with the city’s finest attraction: its beignets. Put the beads away because you have more pressing matters to attend to…like your trip to Café Du Monde.

No matter how many other people are currently doing it, stopping at this French Quarter staple is a must. If you visit New Orleans and don’t visit Café du Monde, does it even count? When you take a bite of those pillowy yet crunchy squares, you’ve officially consumed fried dough goodness from the gods. Sprinkle it with a little powdered sugar, or really a whole lot of powdered sugar, wash it all down with a hot cup of coffee, (bonus points for chicory coffee,) and you’ve achieved bliss.

Cafe du Monde Beignet Mix and Coffee & Chicory, $19.85 on Amazon

A taste of Cafe du Mondé for when beignet fever strikes but you can't make it to NOLA.

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It’s a mighty fine pastry, (read: meal,) but if you’ve noticed, beignets do bear a striking resemblance to the zeppoles from your neighborhood’s annual carnival or perhaps a recent trip to Little Italy. A plate of either is certainly bound to be a good time, but what exactly is the difference between the two?

Let’s start with the origin: Beignets hail from France whereas zeppoles are the Italian counterpart. Both are fried, but beignets tend to be square in shape; the word originates from “buyne,” meaning bump or lump. Zeppoles, known as “fried soft dough” are circular treats that are a staple on Festa di San Giuseppe (St. Joseph’s Day).

Stepping away from Italian holidays, let’s focus on the French, who have codified two significant types of pastry dough: a variety where yeast serves as the dough’s rising agent, and a second variety is rises from its own steam. The correct term for the latter type is “choux pastry,” which includes beignets. Beignets made their way over to the United States thanks to the Acadians. The legends behind zeppoles and their connections to St. Joseph, however, are up for much debate.

Regardless of origin, both delectable pastries are worthy of seconds, so no sweat about trying to differentiate the two. You’ll just have to have both. If you can’t make it to NOLA to enjoy Louisiana’s state doughnut, or if you’re not able to attend the next St. Joseph’s Day party, here are a few recipes to whip up on your own.

Dough-nut Zeppole

Chowhound

This recipe puts a convenient spin on the classic Italian dessert. If you find yourself with extra pizza dough after whipping up a pie for the fam, you can put it right to use after dinner when making these zeppoles. Get our Dough-nut Zeppole recipe.

Gingerbread Surprise Beignets with Spiced Mocha Hot Chocolate

Half Baked Harvest

This dessert is the perfect comfort food for the colder months. Thanks to the naturally warming flavors of ginger and cinnamon — plus chocolate oozing from each bite — all you need is a warm blanket and fireplace to accompany your dessert. Get the Gingerbread Surprise Beignets recipe.

Zeppole di San Guiseppe

Christina’s Cucina

These zeppole call for a cream filling and a cherry placed atop of the treats — never a bad idea. We hope we get an invite to this San Giuseppe party. Get the Zeppole di San Giuseppe recipe.

Chocolate-Filled Beignets with Chocolate Sauce

Back To The Cutting Board

These beignets give us a double chocolate whammy that Willy Wonka himself would certainly be proud of this one. Get the Chocolate-Filled Beignets with Chocolate Sauce recipe.

Zeppoles with Hazelnut Chocolate Filling

Mangia Michelle

Here’s a more subtle, but no less delicious incorporation of chocolate into some zeppoles, with the added bonus of an air of hazelnut from Nutella. It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Nutella + Fried Anything = Delectable. Get the Zeppoles with Hazelnut Chocolate Filling recipe.

Strawberry-Lemon Beignets

Chocolate + Connie

Get a fruity twist on your favorite fried dessert, but maybe don’t try to convince yourself that these are somehow good for you. I mean, they’re good for your soul, if that counts. Half tangy and doughy, yet completely delicious, these snacks are a must for any summer soiree. Get the Strawberry-Lemon Beignets recipe.

Yogurt Zeppoles

Laura In The Kitchen

Yogurt and lemon are just the zesty components needed to give your zeppoles a true acerbic Italian wit. Don’t be surprised if you start hand-gesturing wildly after a plate of these. Get the Yogurt Zeppoles recipe.

Beignets with Raspberry Sauce

Country Cleaver

This take on the Louisiana fan favorite adds a tangy blast to the dessert care of some raspberry sauce. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the fruit dip makes this an eligible breakfast option, in case you were somehow still on the fence about it. Get the Beignets with Raspberry Sauce recipe.

Pumpkin Zeppoles

Sparkles To Sprinkles

You’re going to need a dessert to accompany your PSL in the fall, and these Pumpkin Zeppole Fritters are the answer. This treat screams “scary movie fest” and “plaid sweaters,” so obviously it’s a go-to for the season. Get the Pumpkin Zeppoles recipe.