Certainly! 🍌 Here’s the delightful recipe for Banana Flan, an exotic tropical twist to the classic flan dessert. This recipe was created by Alan Mallett, the talented executive chef at Prairie View University, and was published in the renowned Houston Chronicle. It’s a wonderful dessert that brings together the creamy richness of traditional flan with the sweet, tropical flavor of bananas. The preparation time for this recipe is 45 minutes, cooking time is 1 hour, and the total time, including chilling, is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Perfect for a special dessert occasion, or just when you’re craving something sweet with a hint of the Southwestern U.S. 🌵
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 1/2 cups | Granulated sugar |
| 1 cup | Milk |
| 1/2 vanilla bean | Split and scraped |
| 1/4 cup | Ripe banana extract |
| 4 | Eggs |
| 6 | Egg yolks |
| 1 pinch | Salt |
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Prepare Caramel: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, add 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir occasionally until the sugar starts to melt and caramelize. Increase the heat to high and continue cooking until the syrup turns a beautiful amber color, creating a rich caramel. Be careful not to burn it!
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Prepare Ramekins: Remove the caramelized sugar from the heat and pour it carefully into 6 individual ramekins, swirling each one to coat the bottom evenly. Allow the caramel to cool and harden in the ramekins.
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Infuse Milk: In another saucepan, combine the milk, split and scraped vanilla bean, and the remaining granulated sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it just begins to simmer. Let it gently simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavors, being careful not to scorch the milk. Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly.
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Banana Flavor: Once the milk has cooled a bit, remove the vanilla bean and stir in the ripe banana extract. This will infuse the milk with that delicious tropical flavor!
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Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
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Combine: Gradually pour the cooled milk mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.
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Bake in Water Bath: Place the caramel-coated ramekins in a large baking dish or roasting pan. Carefully pour the custard mixture into the ramekins, dividing it evenly among them. 🍮
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Bake: Create a water bath by adding hot water to the baking dish, being careful not to splash any water into the custard. The water should come about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. This gentle cooking method will ensure a smooth, creamy texture.
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Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour, or until the flans are set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
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Chill: Once baked, remove the ramekins from the water bath and allow them to cool to room temperature. Then cover each ramekin with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until thoroughly chilled and set.
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Serve: To serve, carefully run a knife around the edge of each flan to loosen it from the ramekin. Invert the ramekin onto a serving plate, allowing the caramel sauce to flow over the top of the flan. 🍮
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Garnish: Garnish each Banana Flan with fresh berries for a burst of color and a touch of tartness. If you have them available, fried plantains make a delightful addition, adding a crispy texture and extra sweetness to complement the creamy flan.
This Banana Flan is a true delight for the senses, with its creamy texture, rich caramel, and tropical banana flavor. It’s a perfect dessert for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply indulging in a sweet treat after a weeknight meal. Enjoy the flavors of the Southwestern U.S. with this unique and delicious dessert! 🌟
