CARTOLA
Ingredients
For the Cartola
- 2 large ripe but firm bananas
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 ( ¼ inch thick slices mozzarella manchego or butterkase cheese
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- *⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- *A pinch of ground cloves optional
- * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- * ⅓ cup chopped pecans optional
- * 2-4 scoops vanilla bean or coffee ice cream
For the Chocolate Sauce (makes 1 cup)
- 5 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
* These ingredients are not part of the traditional recipe of Cartola. It's my personal touch for this already wonderful dish!!
Instructions
To Make Cartola
- Preheat the oven to 350F (180C).
- In a small bowl, combine the sugar and the cinnamon as well as the vanilla extract and the 2 other spices if desired. Reserve.
- About 30 minutes later, slice the bananas in half crosswise, and then lengthwise. You'll end up with 4 halves per banana.
- In a large non-stick frying pan, over medium heat, heat the butter for about 2 to 3 minutes or until it melts and bubbles. Add the banana halves and pan-fry them until both sides are golden brown. Remove from heat, then drain the bananas on paper towels. Reserve.
- Grease a 5" x 9" glass baking pan with additional unsalted butter or butter flavor cooking spray. Arrange the reserved bananas, lining up every four halves parallel and closely together in a single layer. You will have two sets of bananas.
- Top each set with the toasted pecans (optionaand then a slice of cheese of approximately the same size. Sprinkle the cheese generously with the sugar/spice mixture.
- Place the glass pan in the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Remove each portion carefully with a spatula and place on a plate. Serve immediately. It can be accompanied by a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream drizzled with a warm chocolate sauce (see below, or use store-bought).
To Make the Chocolate Sauce
- Place the chocolate into a medium glass bowl. Reserve.
- Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
- Pour over the chocolate, and whisk until smooth.
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