Banana Smoothie (NA)

This is a tasty recipe for a non-alcoholic Banana Smoothie that is easy to make and fabulous for summer afternoons with the whole family. One of the best parts of this mocktail is that you probably have the ingredients right there in your kitchen. If you want to spike this drink add 1 ounce of banana liqueur or vodka. If you're really crazy, you can use a flavored vodka like vanilla or banana (it's hard to find but out there).

Ingredients:

• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 sliced bananas
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a blender in the following order: honey, vanilla extract, bananas, vanilla yogurt and ice.
2. Gradually increase the blending speed and blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Pour the drink into a chilled hurricane or cordial glass.

View the original article here

Banana Coffee Cake

Not just bananas, but a hint of cocoa and coffee in this coffee cake recipe. Its a lovely soft cake that any guest will enjoy having when they stop by for some coffee.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup cake flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 bananas, soft and mashed
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbs instant coffee, dissolved in 1 tsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350F, and grease a 10-inch Bundt pan. In a large mixing bowl, combing flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In another small bowl, mix bananas and sour cream. In yet another bowl, beat butter and sugars together until fluffy. Add eggs to the butter mixture, 1 at a time, mixing in between. Beat in espresso and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture, alternating with the banana mixture. Pour batter into bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan.

View the original article here

Banana Hammock

On National Rum Day (August 16) of 2011 you can find this banana-filled cocktail at Mother’s Ruin in NYC. It is a drink with a delicious flavor and if you are not a fan of banana in your drinks you may want to give this one a shot because the spiced rum transforms the fruit's flavor into a whole new experience. This, I dare say, is one of the best banana cocktails you will find and takes the fruit to a level of delicious sophistication that is very rare.

To make the banana syrup, I've found it easiest to puree a banana and add it in equal amounts to the simple syrup while boiling. Strain out any banana chunks when the syrup is cool and you are ready to go.

Prep Time: 4?minutes

Total Time: 4?minutes

Yield: 1 Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum
• 3/4 oz homemade banana syrup (1:1:1 ratio)
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
• dash of Angostura bitters
• caramelized banana dust for rim

Preparation:

1. Rim a coupe glass with spiced banana dust (sugar caramelized with homemade banana syrup and Sailor Jerry Rum).
2. Pour the rum, syrup, lime, and bitters into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain into the prepared coupe glass.

View the original article here