I like to improvise in the kitchen . . . whenever I have ingredients that are
too ripe or just about to expire, I think fast on my feet and come up with a
way to salvage and enjoy before it's too late! Plus, I hate to throw food
away. I grew up with an Italian Mother and Grandmother, and you didn't dare
waste food! "No, no, no . . . you don't toss the heal of the bread out. You
don't waste stale bread. You can still use that brown banana. What do you mean
that tomato is too far gone, let me see!" It's these voices I hear and who
keeps me creating ways to use the ingredients I have on hand.
Does anyone else notice bananas seem to ripen faster in their RVs? Is it just
me? Well, that's what happened on our trip to Chattanooga. The bananas I
brought from Tampa had gone a little too far for us to enjoy just as a snack
by themselves. Whilst we were in Chattanooga, touring the Train Depot and
Songbirds Guitar Museum I had noticed a little shop directly across the street
from the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Chattanooga Whiskey Company. Hmmmm? I love
whiskey. I love local flavors.
The crew was still filming shots of the area, Kevin was collecting equipment
and our mics, so I crossed the street and was greeted with a smiling face and
"would you like to sample our whiskey?" Um, yes please! Unbeknownst to Kevin
and the crew, I came out with a bottle of their sweet whiskey and some fire
roasted pecans. The dessert recipe was already taking place inside my
head.
INGREDIENTS
Over ripe bananas (I had 6)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese (you can use butter, but I did not have any with
me)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 - 1/2 cup whiskey (to taste - a lot will burn off)
1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans (don't make them too small. Any choice of
nuts here will work too.)
Vanilla ice cream
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat, add mascarpone (or butter) to melt.
Add brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and bananas. Stir until mascarpone
(or butter) is melted. Try not to break up bananas.
Remove pan from heat when adding whiskey. If cooking over a flame (gas stove
or grill), tip pan near flame to ignite alcohol. Flame will burn down slowly
as alcohol cooks off. Once flame is low, you can stir again.
Spoon hot mixture over scoop (or scoops) of vanilla ice cream, top with
pecans . . . enjoy!
This was my first time EVER flambé-ing anything, and I was doing it on
camera. I had one take for this, and might I say, I nailed it! I was
worried, slightly, about my eyebrows after we wrapped filming, but relieved
to know they were still intact. Ha! I grabbed 7 spoons and we all devoured
the dessert. Success!
I was using the
Magma Crossover Series Double Firebox Grill. Only using the burner for my cast iron skillet. It works just great as a
"stove top" too! You can watch the Campfire Bananas Foster segment as part
of the RV There Yet? "Chattanooga" episode.
MORE RV THERE YET?
.webp "Magma Grills")