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Caramelized Bananas With Pecan-Coconut Crunch

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Ingredients
  

For the Pecan-Coconut Crunch:

  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ cup pecans, chopped
  • ¼ cups raw pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup rolled oats
  • ¼ cup large coconut chips or flakes
  • 2 tbsp. sesame seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds or any other small seed

For the Bananas:

  • ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream 
  • Pinch of nutmeg 
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 4 to 5 ripe but firm bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise 
  • Ice cream, whipped cream or crème fraîche, for serving

Instructions
 

To prepare the crunchy topping:

  • In a large skillet, over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons butter until melted and foamy; about 3 minutes.
  • Add 1 tablespoon honey and the salt; using a spatula, stir to combine.
  • Add the pecans, pumpkin seeds, oats and coconut; stir to coat.
  • Toast, stirring frequently, until the mixture is golden brown; about 8 minutes, lowering the heat as necessary to keep the mixture from burning.
  • Stir in the sesame seeds, or seeds of choice, and remove from heat.
  • Move to a shallow bowl and set aside to cool.

To prepare the bananas:

  • Set the oven to broil.
  • Wipe out the skillet and add the brown sugar, heavy cream, nutmeg, pepper, remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon honey.
  • Stir ingredients and bring to a simmer, over medium heat, until the sugar is dissolved; about 2 minutes.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and place the bananas in the pan, cut-side up.
  • Spoon some of the sauce over the top to coat the slices.
  • Move the pan to the oven and broil until the caramel sauce is hot and bubbly and the bananas are tender, deep golden and slightly charred in spots; 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes.

To serve the caramelized bananas with pecan-coconut crunch:

  • Spoon a large helping of the ice cream, whipped cream or crème fraîche over the warm bananas, then scatter the pecan-coconut crunch over the top.
  • Divide among individual plates or eat directly from the skillet.