In the beer world there are the bold IPA lovers, the mellow cidar sippers, adventurous consumers of unique craft flavors, and the traditionalists of the tried and true trio, Bud, Coors, and Miller.
Then there are chefs like me that look at Banana Bread Beer and have naughty visions of French toast dancing in my head :)
Admit it, if you're reading this food blog you're guilty of those fantasies too...custardy bread topped with bananas, dripping in sticky brown sugar and rich butter. Oh and what would a dream like this be without a little chocolate spread across each soft slice...Okay, snap out of it so I can tell you where the beer comes in!
A little twist on the original bananas foster by adding beer to the egg mixture. I know beer and eggs may be too strange but stay with me. The edible end result is so worth it! Instead of the theatrical pour of dark rum send your tender sugar laden fruit for a swim in Wells Banana Bread Beer!
It's a classic ale, subtle banana flavor with that slightly bitter hops finish, so not a sweet fruity drink. Perfect contrast to the decadence featured on this plate. And to me, bananas say tropics and nothing accents that region more than macadamia nuts:)
No holding back - take a big bite full of moist custard drenched bread coated in Nutella, stacked with sugary smooth banana, dripping in beer syrup with a buttery macadamia finale...Oh yeah, now that's a brunch worth crawling out of bed for ;)
I love the Pepperidge Farm seasonal breads for French toast. For this, I chose the chocolate banana. But if you can't find that one use their chocolate chip or even banana bread, or Challah would work! Just get some Banana Bread Beer and give this Bananas Foster French toast a try. It will create a deliciously memorable mark on your friends and families palates!
Serving Size - 2 to 4
Ingredients For French Toast
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup Banana Bread Beer
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 4 slices of Pepperidge Farm chocolate banana bread
- 8 teaspoons Nutella (more if you prefer)
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
Ingredients For Banana Bread Beer Syrup
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 bananas, peeled and cut into thirds and then sliced down the middle
- 1/3 cup banana bread beer
Directions For French Toast
1. Whisk together first 5 ingredients into a mixing bowl.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt butter.
3. Thoroughly soak each slice of bread in the egg custard. Place in skillet and bake until each side is golden brown, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. It's not very thick but turn the heat down to medium low if necessary, so the inside of the bread cooks as well.
Directions For Banana Bread Beer Syrup
1. Heat another skillet over medium heat.
2. Melt butter.
3. Add in brown sugar. Blend with the butter into a gooey syrup.
4. Toss the bananas in and coat completely in the sugar.
5. Pour beer over, raise heat to medium high for just a couple of minutes to reduce alcohol. Allow to thicken a bit.
6. Keep warm until toast is ready.
Plating It All Together
1. Layer Toast onto a platter or individual plates.
2. Divide that delicious syrup evenly over the top of each slice.
3. Sprinkle with macadamias.
4. Pour some java for everyone and enjoy :)
If you manage to have any left over, store it in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. You can heat it in the microwave, although French toast is best eaten right away.
Have you welcomed the craft beer craze into your kitchen? Please share your favorite flavors and recipes in the comments below!
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