Banana bread pudding with rum sauce

6 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
⅓ cup Raisins or currants
2 tablespoons Plus 1/4 cup dark rum, divided
2 tablespoons Butter (1/4 stick)
3 Bananas, peeled, halved crosswise, then lengthwise
5 tablespoons Sugar, divided
2 cups Whipping cream
4 larges Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla extrtact
8 ounces Firm white bread slices, crusts trimmed and each
Slice cut into 3 strips
½ cup Chopped toasted pecans (about 2 ounces)
Rum Sauce

Directions

Combine the raisins with the 2 tablespoons of rum in a small bowl. Let stand for 20 minutes.

Melt the butter over medium heat in a heavy large skillet. Add the bananas and 2 tablespoons of sugar; cook until the bananas are tender, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the pan from the heat.

Combine the whipping cream, eggs, vanilla extract and the remaining ¼ cup of rum and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk to blend.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Butter a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan. Arrange ⅓ of the bread strips crosswise in the bottom of the prepared pan.

Arrange 6 banana slices atop the bread. Sprinkle with half of the raisins and half of the pecans. Arrange ⅓ of the bread strips crosswise on top of the bananas. Pour half of the egg mixture over the bread strips. Arrange the remaining 6 banana slices on top of the bread. Sprinkle with the remaining raisins and pecans. Arrange the remaining bread strips crosswise atop the bananas. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread strips. Press gently on the top layer to compact. Let stand for 15 minutes.

Bake the bread pudding for about 45 minutes or until the top is puffed and golden anda knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool slightly.

Cut the bread pudding into slices and arrange on dessert plates.

Drizzle with warm Rum Sauce and serve.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

RUM SAUCE: ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick) ½ cup whipping cream ½ cup packed dark brown sugar Salt 2 Tbl dark rum Melt the butter over high heat in a heavy medium saucepan. Add the cream, sugar and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the rum. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat, stirring constantly.)

[Reservations for Two; Jinx & Jefferson Morgan] [Bon Appetit; March 1995]

Posted by Fred Peters.

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