Bananas – How to Use ‘Em |
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| Written by Holly and Jackie Hutchings |
| Tuesday, 02 June 2009 19:00 |
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Who knew that bananas could be another household meal staple with the ability to be incorporated into all aspects of a healthy daily menu? Before perusing the suggested menu items below, there are a few tid-bits you should know about bananas and their usage . . . DID YOU KNOW? There are 500 varieties of banana available! From green to yellow to brown, bananas get softer and sweeter.Plantains come from the same family as bananas and follow the same ripening stages as regular bananas.Greener bananas are more starchy and are best fried, oven-baked, or boiled and mashed like potatoes; when yellow, bananas are sweeter and best to eat fresh, in smoothies, or on a sandwich; and browner bananas are perfect for using in baked goods. DID YOU KNOW? One medium banana contains 1gram of protein and 3grams of dietary fiber! Bananas are a valuable source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and potassium! Here’s how you can incorporate them into your meals: BREAKFASTBanana Smoothie – anything goes in a banana smoothie (e.g. soy milk, yogurt, berries, chai seeds, etc.), but without the banana, smoothies lose their thick and creamy “smoothie texture.” A banana smoothie is a quick and easy way to start your day on the right foot! DID YOU KNOW? Brisbane, Australia holds the record for the longest banana split at 7.3km! Sweet Potato Home Fries – no need for grease-coated “superfries” as a side to your breakfast! Instead, try cutting up a sweet potato and then add some plantain slices with a bit of olive oil for a sweeter, more exotic and more nutritious “home fry.” Banana Muffins or Loaf – remember, ripe brown bananas are best for baking!Whether your recipe includes oats, bran, dates or even chocolate chips, you can’t go wrong with home baked banana muffins or loaf (bonus – these freeze very well too)! LUNCH/SNACKGreen Banana French Fries – you can use mini green bananas or plantains to make these fries. These fries are sweet on their own, or you can spice them up with your choice of herbs during the frying process (no need for ketchup)! Banana Sandwich – this meal for all ages is a true classic! For something a little different, try using any of a variety of other nut and/or seed butters – or add some honey for an extra sweet twist! DID YOU KNOW? Despite their preference for a tropical climate, bananas also grow in Iceland using the heat from geysers! Dried Banana or Plantain Chips – if you’re a kitchen gear-junkie and have a dehydrator on hand (and tons of free time) you can slice up your own plantains/bananas. But for the rest of us, just drop by Bulk Barn or any health food store for these healthier chip alternatives. Note: these exotic chips also come in chocolate-dipped or hot-and-spicy style. DINNERFish Wrapped in Banana Leaf – although we’ve never used banana leaves before, Plantain Fritters – as you may have noticed, most of the menu options we’ve mentioned so far where you would typically expect to use potatoes, you can easily substitute bananas or plantains. Instead of potato cakes, try mashing up plantains to make fritters for a tasty and different appetizer/side dish! Banana Kebabs with Peanut Sauce – check out this awesome (vegan!) recipe, perfect for a summertime BBQ! DESSERTFlambéed Banana/Plantain in Rum – if you’ve been to the islands you must have tried this amazing dessert! And the best thing about it is that it’s fast and easy to make – even here in Canada’s snowy capital city!Try these à la mode or sprinkled with brown sugar! Banana Cake/Cupcakes – have you ever tried homemade banana cake with real buttercream icing?!?! If not, you should. Fruit Salad – you don’t have to be a health-conscious freak to enjoy a fresh fruit salad. These nutritious concoctions can be enjoyed at any time of the day, and a fruit salad just isn’t fruit salad without bananas. Try mini bananas for an extra-‘cute’ addition!
BOOZEMonkey’s Lunch – equal parts banana liqueur, kahlua + milk, this beverage can be made as a shot, on the rocks, or even as a specialty coffee with whipped cream! Banana Daiquiri / Banana Mama – these tropical blender drinks are deeeelish with or without the alcohol!Perfect for a backyard BBQ party! No wonder monkeys always seem so happy!
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we’ve seen them used in Thailand and Cuba. It seems the leaves function to hold in flavour and keep the fish (or chicken) tender!
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