Easy Banana Flambe with Coconut Ice Cream
Here’s what I’ve learned from years of entertaining at home- you have to have basic ingredients on hand at home at all times and you’ll never be in trouble with unexpected guests or a difficult dessert that went awry. My Easy Banana Flambe with Coconut Ice Cream comes in super handy when I have last minute dinner guests or when I want to serve a fancy dessert that is actually easy to make. The cool thing about this easy dessert is that you can even use over-ripe bananas for this- it tastes even better! Who doesn’t have bananas in a home kitchen lying around? Just three other ingredients you need on hand- butter (this should be a kitchen staple), some type of dark drinking alcohol like brandy or cognac, and any type of simple ice cream. Here I pair the Banana Flambe with coconut ice cream to lend an Asian flavor but you can use any basic flavor like Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry or even Coffee ice cream. When you make this deceivingly easy dessert, your guests will think you’re Gordon Ramsay and they won’t know just how simple it is!

Serves 4

Ingredients
2 large ripe bananas
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup coffee liquor (use whichever type you like)
4 scoops coconut ice cream
Marie cookies, crushed (substitute with biscotti or your favorite cookie)

Method

Cut each banana into half and then into half again lengthwise so you end up with a total of 8 pieces.

In a large skillet, melt the butter on medium high heat. Sauté the bananas for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Pour in the coffee liquor; gently and quickly swirl the pan so the liquor spreads evenly. Using a long lighter or long matchstick, quickly place the flame close to the liquor in the pan. Make sure you do not stand with your face or hair near the pan and fire.

Continue to swirl the bananas in the liquor and within a few seconds, the flame should subside and die out on its own. Immediately place the bananas on serving plates (2 bananas per plate). Gently place the coconut ice cream on top of the bananas. Sprinkle the crushed cookies over the ice cream and serve immediately.