Healthified Bananas Foster-a no regret. sweet indulgence

One of my favorite desserts is Bananas Foster! Ever since I visited Jamaica, I cannot get enough of this delectable dish!

Ya Man, it's irie! 

Montego Bay, Jamaica Spring Break 2005

There's something about the warm flambe' crunch of the caramelized bananas paired with the cool, smooth ice cream that is irresistible! Once or twice a year I treat myself to this delight, and every time, just a few of the savory bites transport me back to the place where I first experienced this delicacy. It was one hot day laying on the beach in Montego Bay with a cool breeze, steel drum melody, cold umbrella drink, awe-inspiring view, and a feeling of absolute peace and serenity worth every penny it took to get me there. Ahhhh.

My Best Friend & I lounging by da beach ; )

The peace stick - "EVERYTING IS EVERYTING"

Recently while out celebrating my brother and his roommate passing the Georgia Bar Exam, making them official licensed attorneys that can practice in the state of GA...AW YEA, I decided to indulge in some Bananas Foster! The chef actually comes to the table & prepares the whole dish right in front of you at this restaurant, Bally-Hoo's. If you are ever in the Gainesville, FL area I recommend you go to this place; the food is outstanding, prices are very affordable, ambiance is fun, and there is a ton of choices on their menu! 

Our Bananas Foster being cooked at our table at Bally-Hoo's

Impatiently waiting with bated breath for my yummy dessert, it hit me how much I thoroughly enjoy this treat, and how infrequently I let myself have it because it is so fattening! Not anymore. While observing the chef prepare my dish from scratch, I wiped the drool from my mouth, and started taking meticulous notes on a cocktail napkin. 

Sharing our scrumptious dessert! 

The next day, cocktail napkin in hand, I came up with a new, healthy recipe for Bananas Foster that I can now enjoy several times a year! Yes this lighter recipe is very good in my opinion, and it definitely satisfies my sweet tooth! Alas, I'm sure I will still partake in the real thing once or twice a year when I'm out at a nice restaurant, as long as I share it with someone special-to save calories of course!   

**HEALTH TIP
Plantains have less sugar than the common yellow banana, but are still packed with tons of nutrition! They are a great source of immediate energy so are great to eat before a workout for that extra needed fuel. Plantains contain tryptophan (great mood booster by increasing serotonin, regulates appetite & helps with sleep) and 20% of the daily recommend amount of dietary fiber (helps with digestion). They are a great source of vitamins: A, C, B6, niacin, & folate, as well as minerals: iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, & zinc. Physicians do encourage patients whom are potassium deficient to eat plantains, because one of them contains a third of your daily requirement. I only mentioned the most prevalent nutritional benefits, for a more complete list of all the vitamins & minerals in a plantain, click here to be directed to nutritiondata.self.com 

According to Healthguidance.org there are several home remedies made from plantains to promote youth, improve your skin from wrinkles/poison ivy/bruises/warts, relieve constipation, heartburn, & hiccups, help with cramps and so much more! Click here to be taken to the direct page to read more remedies & how to make each one! This is just a fun fact I found while researching, and although I do encourage trying natural antidotes for small ailments or nuisances, I have not tried any of the ones listed here and so do not know of their efficacy. As always, if you have any serious problems directly consult a health professional first. Admittedly, I'm interested to try the anti-wrinkle treatment and the hiccup cure and will get back to you on their results ; ) 

Bananas Foster-Healthified

RECIPE

SERVES: 2         one serving is half a plantain & 1/2 cup of yogurt

FAT-2g

CALORIES-246    

CARBS-52  

SUGAR-20 (included above in carbs) 

FIBER-2.5g

PROTEIN-10g

Stuff I use! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 fresh plantain (peeled)

1/4 tsp of light brown sugar

1/4 Tbl of light butter 

2 ice scream scoops of fat free vanilla greek yogurt (plain if you want), about 1 cup

drizzle of fat free caramel sauce or syrup (I like Smuckers), 1 Tbl divided in half

1/8 tsp of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Get a small or medium skillet very hot! 
2. Peel plantain, then depending on its size, cut it so you have 2 ( in half) or 3 (in thirds) whole pieces. Then take each piece and slice it down the middle lengthwise (should look like it does in the pictures) 
4. Put a couple of dabs of the caramel on one side of the plantain (I use around 1/2 Tbl total for all plantains)-smoothing it out so its lightly covered and sprinkle some brown sugar on top afterwards. Do this to all the pieces of plantain on both sides.
3. Place butter in skillet & when it starts to melt (should be instantaneously due to the high heat) place your plantains semi circle side down on top of the melting butter so they saute'. Flip the plantains, so they're flat surface down after 1 minute so doesn't burn, the brown sugar will caramelize & harden & might look burnt but it isn't. After another minute flip them back to original side for one minute, then flip them again for another minute. You want to make sure they are warm all the way through as well. Remove skillet from heat.
**If you know hot to flambe' you can in step 3, I find it too dangerous for my kitchen & set off the smoke alarm when I tried, so this works best for me. 
4. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out fat free vanilla greek yogurt onto serving plate
5. Place cooked plantain pieces on plate next to yogurt & drizzle caramel syrup (use other 1/2 Tbl) on plantains & sprinkle cinnamon on top of everything. Serve immediately! You can add toasted almond pieces or fresh blackberries too!

What's your favorite dessert? I'd love to make a healthier version for you too.