Tapioca pearls are translucent balls made of cassava starch. Originally produced as a cheaper alternative to sago they are particularly popular in bubble tea and are used in many South East Asian desserts and drinks. Although they don’t have much flavour, the texture is wonderful. To make four generous portions, bring 9 cups of water…… Continue reading tapioca pearls with coconut and banana
Tag: banana
banana maple cake
Not only did I have a surfeit of Maple syrup (thank you Luc) but I also found myself with over-ripe bananas. And here’s the perfect recipe! Preheat your oven to 170ºC (350ºC) and grease and line a 23cm (9′) springform cake tin. In a food processor blend 4 very ripe, peeled bananas until roughly chopped,…… Continue reading banana maple cake
banana daiquiri
The Daiquiri cocktail may have acquired it’s name from the beach or iron mine of the same name in Santiago de Cuba. The basic recipe for a Daiquiri is similar to the ‘grog’ that British sailors drank from the 1740s onwards. By 1795 the Royal Navy grog ration contained rum, water, ¾ of an ounce of lemon or lime…… Continue reading banana daiquiri
black rice pudding with grilled bananas and coconut turmeric sauce
Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, grows wild in the forests of South and Southeast Asia. It is widely used as a spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. Slightly bitter, musky and earthy tasting, it adds an interesting dimension to this dessert from David Thompson’s Thai Food. For the black rice pudding, soak ½ a cup…… Continue reading black rice pudding with grilled bananas and coconut turmeric sauce
banana sesame walnut loaf
This delicious variation on banana bread is wholemeal, full of walnuts and not too sweet. The recipe (published in Gourmet Traveller) is by Dan Lepard. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) and line a loaf tin with baking paper. Mash 4 bananas with 200g (7 oz) of dark muscovado sugar or unrefined molasses sugar until smooth then stir in the juice…… Continue reading banana sesame walnut loaf
banana hazelnut loaf
Another delicious variation on a classic, this loaf is not too sweet and can be toasted for a great breakfast. Whip 125g (4½ oz) of butter and 100g (3½ oz) of honey then add 3 large or 4 small eggs one at a time. Add 4 ripe mashed bananas, 100g (3½ oz) of hazelnut meal and…… Continue reading banana hazelnut loaf
banana ice cream with salted caramel sauce
Too many ripe bananas? Here’s a great way to enjoy them. In a food processor combine 6 ripe bananas with 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of cream, ½ a cup of light sour cream and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. I made this in a sorbetiere (a manual ice cream churner). If you don’t…… Continue reading banana ice cream with salted caramel sauce
walnut galettes with caramelised bananas and sour cream
Galette is a term used in French cuisine to designate various types of flat, round cakes. These walnut galettes are like large cookies, crunchy on the outside with a softer sticky centre. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature. Grind 60g (2oz) of shelled walnuts into a coarse meal. Add 85g (3oz) of caster sugar and 45g (1½oz) of…… Continue reading walnut galettes with caramelised bananas and sour cream
coconut banana bread
Equally good served fresh for afternoon tea or toasted and buttered for breakfast. Combine ½ a cup of coconut milk, ½ a cup of brown sugar and 1 egg and mix well to combine. Add 3 large mashed bananas and fold in 1½ cups flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder and ½ a cup of dessicated coconut. Bake at…… Continue reading coconut banana bread
banana, cream cheese & walnut muffins
When bananas become over-ripe I peel and freeze them to use in ice cold smoothies. When defrosted, they’re still perfectly suitable for a recipe which requires mashed bananas. Cream 100g softened butter and 100g light cream cheese with ¾ of a cup of brown sugar. Add 2 large eggs (one at a time until just mixed), 3 mashed bananas and 1…… Continue reading banana, cream cheese & walnut muffins
michelle picker cooks 