Saturday's Kitchen: Banoffee Pie and a Stickie!

What is it, exactly, you may ask?
Just what it sounds like - the world's best combination of banana and toffee ever!

We first ran across this dessert while living in London, but it wasn't until we returned to the US that I actually made one, or two.



Ingredients:
Graham Cracker Crust ( I bought mine as I was short on time, but there are a million and one recipes to make your own)
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
2 bananas
Heavy Whipping Cream or store bought whipped cream
Vanilla extract
powdered sugar
Small chocolate bar (optional)

Directions:
To make toffee: remove labels from unopened sweetened condensed milk cans. Submerge in pot of water, bring to boil, boil covered for 2.5 hours. Make sure to keep the cans of milk covered with water, meaning you'll have to top up from time to time.

To assemble: slice bananas into bottom of graham cracker crust. Open sweetened condensed milk cans and stir until toffee reaches a pourable consistency. Pour over bananas. Refrigerate to set.

Before serving: Whip cream, adding sugar to desired sweetness (1 tbs.) and a 1 tsp of vanilla, or crack open store bought whipped cream. Mound on top. grate small amount of chocolate bar over top for a decorative finish, if so desired.

I've had fairly good results with this recipe, although the last time I made it, it didn't set very well - hence the less than stellar picture. Fortunately, it tastes great regardless of how well it sets!

Wine Pairing:
This is an extremely rich and decidant dessert on it's own, but if you really want to go all out, try it with a dessert wine.

Dessert wines are generally fortified wines that are sweet in nature and pair well with all sorts of desserts - from sweet to savory. There are a couple of trains of thought on pairing dessert wines, but I tend to go with the classic, sweet - sweet combination! What can I say, I have a massive sweet tooth!

I recently discovered the Canadian Ice Wine, Jackson - Triggs Proprietors' Reserve 2007 Riesling Icewine. It's honey colored and intensly sweet.

A great introduction to the wonderful world of Stickies!

As always if you try it and like it, please do let me know.


Until next time,