I’ve noticed that when Dr. O goes out of town, I still make an effort to cook for myself, but I tend to make simpler food. It might be a bit healthier, too! 🙂 Today’s dessert – Cinnamon-Baked Bananas – is no exception. I tore this recipe out of Shape magazine months and months ago… It seemed like a great way to treat myself with minimum effort using ingredients that I pretty much always have on hand.
Leaving the banana in its peel, I cut through the fruit lengthwise, leaving the bottom peel intact. I also made two small horizontal slits at the top to make opening the fruit a bit easier. I pulled the sides of the banana apart, dotted it with 1/2 teaspoon of butter, and then sprinkled it with 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon.
To cook it, I closed the banana and wrapped it in foil. I put the foil packet directly on my center oven rack and baked it at 400F until it was hot and soft (10 minutes). I (carefully) removed the foil, opened the banana, and enjoyed my treat!
Yum-my! This was so simple but so delicious. If you’re trying to “be good,” this is a great way to trick your body into thinking you’re eating something more extravagant. The banana was hot and soft, and the butter-cinnamon-sugar combination is so comforting. The only change I’d make is that I might cook the banana just a bit longer next time. The recipe said 10 – 15 minutes, so I went with 10; 12 might be just right. I can’t wait to make this again to find out!
TIPS: “Dotting” something with butter just means cutting the butter into small pieces and placing the pieces randomly (or not so randomly!) on or in the dish.
Recipe link: Cinnamon-Baked Bananas
(This link has the original version of the recipe and the lighter version; I used the lighter version.)
Sweet and Saucy 