For some people, a banana may be a completely new and exotic fruit, while for others it may be a staple of their daily diet. Eating a banana is relatively simple: you have to find the right one, peel it and enjoy it. However, there are many other ways to use this delicious ingredient, for example by combining it with breakfast cereals or turning it into a smoothie. Bananas can even be eaten frozen, fried or grilled!
Ingrediants
Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 120 ml of yogurt
- 60 ml of milk
- 65 g of peanut butter
- 5-7 ice cubes (optional)
Doses for 2 servings
Bon Bon Freddi with Chocolate and Banana
- 1 banana, peeled
- 175 g of dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of peanut butter (optional)
Cinnamon Banana Chips
- 2 bananas, peeled
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- ½ teaspoon of cinnamon
S'more di Banana
- 1 banana, peeled
- 2 tablespoons of mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons of semi-bitter chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons graham crackers, crumbled (replaceable with Digestive biscuits)
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Eat a Banana
Step 1. Buy a ripe banana
Choose one that is yellow and lightly dotted with small black or brown patches. Some people prefer to eat bananas when the skin is still uniformly yellow and the flesh firm, while others enjoy them more when they are softer, sweet, fragrant and flavorful (i.e. when they have a spotted skin).
If you bought a banana that isn't ripe yet, you can store it in a warm place for a day or two
Step 2. Peel it
Some people prefer to peel it completely before eating it, while others peel it a little at a time. There are many ways to peel a banana; Even if you've never peeled one before, you can easily do this by following one of these methods:
- Peel it starting from the stem. Grab it and swing it back with a sharp swipe, then pull it down along the fruit. Pull the remaining parts of the peel in the same way.
- Peel it starting from the end opposite the stem. We are talking about the flat, dark base placed at the bottom of the banana. Pinch the peel just behind that point to break it up, then peel it off into small pieces by pulling it to the opposite side.
- If you don't intend to eat a whole banana, cut it in half before peeling it. Wrap the half you want to keep in cling film, then put it in the refrigerator.
Step 3. Remove the "threads"
Bananas have fibrous threads between the skin and the pulp. In most cases, they peel off with the peel, but it can happen that they stick to the fruit. Detach them carefully before eating it. While perfectly edible, they may be slightly bitter or have an unwelcome texture in the mouth.
Step 4. Eat it
You can enjoy it bite after bite, peeling it as you eat it. Alternatively, you can remove all the peel at once, slice it with a knife and eat it with a fork. You can also use it to make a smoothie, dip it in melted chocolate and freeze it to turn it into ice cream, fry it or even grill it! Here are some ideas to take inspiration from:
- Slice it and add it to your breakfast cereal.
- Eat it sliced after sprinkling it with a veil of honey to make it even sweeter.
- Slice it and add it to a peanut butter sandwich made with slices of whole wheat bread.
- Cut it lengthwise in half, then stuff it with peanut butter before putting it back together and eating it like a sandwich.
Step 5. Discard the peel
If you are in a closed environment, for example in a room, close it in a bag or waste bin with a lid, otherwise it will spread its smell into the air. Alternatively, you can use it to compost to fertilize the garden.
Method 2 of 5: Make a Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie
Step 1. Peel and slice a banana, then pour it into the blender glass
Cutting it into slices facilitates the work of the blender and guarantees a result with a smoother and more homogeneous consistency. If you want, you can use a frozen banana to get an even thicker drink.
Step 2. Add the milk and yogurt
If you want a particularly creamy smoothie, you can use only 165ml of yogurt and avoid milk.
Step 3. Top with peanut butter
If it is not among your favorite ingredients, you can replace it for example with hazelnut cream or almond butter. You can also use a chocolate syrup (start with two tablespoons, you can add more if needed).
Step 4. Blend the ingredients to mix them
If the result doesn't feel dense enough, you can add 5 to 7 ice cubes.
Step 5. Pour the smoothie into two tall glasses, then serve immediately
You can decorate each glass with whipped cream or a chocolate or caramel syrup.
Method 3 of 5: Make chilled chocolate and banana bon bons
Step 1. Cut the banana into slices about 1-1.5 cm
First, remove the peel, then remove any strands that are stuck to the pulp. Slice the banana into slices using a sharp knife.
Step 2. Leave it in the freezer for an hour
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then arrange the banana slices evenly, being careful to form a single layer.
Step 3. Heat the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl
Put both ingredients in a container suitable for use in the microwave, then heat them for about thirty seconds. Take the bowl out of the oven to mix before continuing to heat for another 15 seconds. Now stir until the chocolate chips are completely dissolved. You need to get a smooth and uniform consistency; if necessary, heat it up for a few more seconds.
Step 4. Set the mixture aside, then take the banana slices out of the freezer
If you want, you can glue them two by two using peanut butter to make small sandwiches. This is an optional step, but it can make the recipe even more irresistible!
Step 5. Dip the banana slices into the cold chocolate mixture
When the chocolate has cooled, prick a slice of banana with a fork, then dip it in the chocolate cream. Use a spoon to coat it evenly.
If you want to ensure success with your guests, you can sprinkle the chocolate banana slices with some crumbled nuts. In addition to the palate, your protein needs will also benefit
Step 6. After coating them with chocolate, return the banana slices to the baking tray lined with parchment paper
Continue, coating one slice of banana after another.
Step 7. Return them to the freezer, then wait for the chocolate to solidify
At that point, they will be ready to eat. If you want, you can transfer them to a food bag and enjoy them as a snack whenever you want.
Method 4 of 5: Make Cinnamon Banana Chips
Step 1. Cut the banana into slices about 1-1.5 cm thick
Set them aside, ready to be fried.
Step 2. Now melt the butter with honey and cinnamon in a pan
Use a medium-high heat and keep stirring the ingredients as they heat, melt, and blend with each other. When the butter is completely melted and begins to foam, it's time to move on to the next step.
Step 3. Add the banana chips, then fry them for 4 minutes
As they cook in butter, they will begin to caramelize and take on a golden color. If you feel they are darkening too quickly, turn the heat down immediately.
Step 4. Flip the banana chips, then cook for another 4 minutes
You will know they are ready when they are evenly browned on both sides. Have a plate close at hand to be ready to serve her.
Step 5. Serve the banana chips immediately
You can enjoy them on their own or in combination with another ingredient or recipe, such as a French toast, pancakes, ice cream or yogurt.
Method 5 of 5: Make a Banana S'more
Step 1. Preheat the oven grill by setting it to medium high heat
If you don't want to use the grill, you can simply bring it to 200 ° C.
Step 2. Score a banana lengthwise, then place it on a sheet of aluminum foil
You must engrave it as shown in the image, without peeling it and without cutting it from side to side. In practice, the two halves must remain attached at the bottom, exactly like hot dog bread.
Step 3. Fill the banana with the mini marshmallows and chocolate chips
Both ingredients will have to form a small mountain ridge that runs along the whole banana. You can spread them in alternating layers, as if you were making s'mores (typical American sweets similar to small sandwiches stuffed with marshmallows), or you can mix them together before starting.
Step 4. Wrap the foil around the banana, then put it in the oven for 5 to 6 minutes
The cooking time is the same both using the grill function and the normal oven, but in the latter case, once finished, you will have to open the foil and leave the banana in the oven until the marshmallows turn golden.
Step 5. Remove the banana from the wrapper, then sprinkle it with the graham cracker crumbs
This is the final touch that will make it even more like a s'more. If you don't have graham crackers, you can replace them with cereals or biscuits with a honey and cinnamon flavor (for example Digestives).
Step 6. Wait for the banana to cool down a bit, then eat it with a spoon
This recipe is also perfect to be prepared on the barbecue, for example when camping!
Advice
- You can buy bananas at any time of the year, regardless of the season.
- You can buy a variety of bananas that are out of the ordinary; not all bananas are long and yellow, some are short, broad or have a different color. For example, there is a variety of red banana, smaller and softer than the classic yellow one, with a flavor that is slightly reminiscent of raspberries.
- Bananas are great for children. For the little ones, you need to mash them and serve them as a puree with a teaspoon.
- Chocolate, cinnamon, honey and peanut butter combine perfectly with the taste of banana.
- Bananas contain tryptophan, a substance capable of increasing the body's production of serotonin, thereby improving mood.
- Bananas promote the digestive process; Plus, they can curb your appetite, helping you eat less and lose weight.
- Eating a banana at the end of your workout can help you regain lost energy.
- Bananas are rich in potassium, which can help ease menstrual pain.
Warnings
- Unripe bananas should not be stored in the refrigerator otherwise they stop ripening and begin to blacken.
- During ripening, bananas release ethylene, a hormone that can make neighboring fruits ripen faster. Keep them in a separate place to avoid this.
- Don't confuse bananas with plantains. Despite having a similar appearance, plane trees are larger, harder and have a darker color. Furthermore, they are very starchy and are not suitable to be eaten raw, in fact they must be cooked or fried.
- Bananas, like other fruit varieties, can cause bloating and gas.
