Baked Bananas

When bananas are baked their natural sweetness is brought out and make them taste even more delicious. In this recipe, bananas are flavored with butter, sugar and lemon juice and baked until soft and silky. Served with some vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with chopped pecans or almonds this quick and simple dessert recipe makes an elegant dish. You can also put whipped cream on top and chocolate shavings. For a healthier alternative, top this with yogurt and enjoy for a luxurious breakfast.

There are many kinds of bananas available in the market and varieties differ in texture, size and flavor. Available the whole year round are yellow bananas and exotic varieties can be bought at ethnic food markets. There is a lot of diversity in Hispanic, Thai and Philippine markets where bananas are grown abundantly and exported around the world. There are red bananas, plantains, Lady Fingers, and burro bananas. You can use a variety of bananas to make this recipe even more fun and tasty. Or you can try different kinds of bananas each time you make this recipe. Lots of ways to cook banana so feel free to view up some online video recipes here.

Bananas develop and ripen further after they are harvested, so they can be picked while they are still green. This allows them to be shipped to far places with little storage problem. However, bananas are sensitive to cool temperatures, and bruise easily below 55 degrees F. Never keep the bananas inside the refrigerator when storing them. 60 to 70 degrees F is the ideal temperature for allowing bananas to ripen. Higher temperatures will cause them to ripen too quickly.

Choose those bananas that are firm with a bright appearance and have no signs of injury or bruises when buying them. Bananas with green tips are not fully developed and should be allowed to ripen for a day or two or more when the solid yellow color is specked with brown.

Ingredients
4 bananas, peeled and cut in halves
2 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon lemon juice

1. Put the peeled and banana halves In a bowl and add melted butter, sugar and lemon juice to it.

2. In a greased baking tray pour this mixture and bake it for about 20-25 minutes in a preheated oven at 180 degree F. Allow it t cool on a wire rack. Serve in pudding bowls.

3. Chopped nuts maybe added if you like.