Desserts
Ibitoki mu Buki (Bananas in Honey)
Ingredients
- - 6 ripe sweet bananas, halved lengthwise
- - 2 tbsp butter
- - 3 tbsp honey
- - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- - 1 tbsp lemon juice
- - 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts, to serve (optional)
Method
- Melt the butter in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Lay the banana halves cut-side down in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden.
- Flip carefully and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes.
- Drizzle the honey and lemon juice over the bananas and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Cook for a further 1-2 minutes, spooning the syrup over the bananas, until glazed and glossy.
- Serve warm, scattered with chopped roasted peanuts if desired.
Introduction: Burundi grows an extraordinary variety of bananas, and this simple dessert of pan-caramelised sweet bananas glazed in local honey highlights the fruit at its best.
Cultural Background: Burundi grows an extraordinary variety of bananas, and this simple dessert of pan-caramelised sweet bananas glazed in local honey highlights the fruit at its best. It is a quick treat often prepared for children or as a light ending to a family meal.
Tips: Use bananas that are ripe but still firm so they hold their shape in the pan. Cook over medium (not high) heat so the honey caramelises rather than burns.
Variations: Vegan version: replace butter with coconut oil. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or plain yoghurt for a richer dessert. Use coconut oil instead of butter for a fully vegan version.
Storage: Best eaten immediately; can be refrigerated for up to 1 day though texture softens.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a pan over low heat for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
Nutrition: Approx. 210 kcal, 2 g protein, 38 g carbohydrate, 7 g fat per serving (based on 4 servings).
FAQs:
Q: What bananas work best?
A: Standard ripe sweet bananas work well; plantains are not suitable here as they need much longer cooking and are less sweet.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes, substitute coconut oil for the butter with no other changes needed.