Fried Banana Dumplings

*Post by Angela.

I'm not a huge fan of dessert. For some reason, that goes double for Asian desserts, which I generally find to be weird and unappetizing. However, there are some important exceptions: green tea ice cream, polvorón (which is more of a Spanish dessert anyway), and fried banana dumplings. After making the green curry chicken the other night, we had some leftover coconut milk, giving us the perfect opportunity to make this delicious deep-fried dish.

List of ingredients:

• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 12 small ripe Asian bananas
• Powdered sugar (optional)
• Chocolate sauce (optional)

First, I sifted together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Then I added the eggs and the coconut milk, whisking it together gradually until well combined.

Then I peeled the bananas. As you can probably tell, we couldn't find small Asian bananas (Mark would argue that I am a small Asian banana). We used a half dozen ripe regular variety bananas - Asian bananas would have been even better, as they are a little sweeter and have a slightly different texture, but the recipe still worked. I dipped each banana piece in the batter, making sure it was well coated.

I heated the vegetable oil in a big pot to about 375 degrees, then carefully dropped in half the batter-coated pieces.  

I cooked them about 5-7 minutes, until golden brown and extra crispy, then placed them on a paper towel-lined plate to get rid of the excess oil as I fried up the other half of the bananas.

Once I was done frying, Mark and I customized our shares to our preferences - I just sprinkled a little powdered sugar over mine, while sweet-toothed Mark drizzled his pieces generously with chocolate sauce. Either way, these sweet dumplings tied a really nice bow on a dinner at home.

Comments

[Michelle]

Yum! I've had something similar, but it's a banana fried in an egg roll wrapper, and love it with a side of ice cream and honey and sesame seeds drizzled over. yum!

[Angela]

Oh, dammit. HONEY. That's what we should have drizzled over it.

I've had the egg roll wrapper kind, which I really like, but the thing I like about this recipe is the coconut milk, which I think adds a little something.

[City Girl]

I love fried banana dumplings! And, I lol at the fact that Mark might call you a small Asian banana.) I think I can make things. Correction. I think I *will* make these. Thanks! xoxo

[Angela]

CG,

Yeah, I love dishes like these, that are really easy, but kind of impressive if you choose to serve them to guests!

Also, Mark calls me a lot of things....

[dedc79]

please mail me some of these post haste

[Angela]

I will make them for you on my next visit!