Banana Fritters Cecodok Pisang 炸香蕉丸

This is a typical Malaysian comfort food and the dish itself brings back many childhood memories. 

Although lacking in appearance, it more than made up for it with its taste. These humble banana fritters are crispy on outside and soft inside. I especially like it with lots of banana flavour, just perfect with a cup of of good-old teh tarik.

The Malay word for this dish is also jemput-jemput pisang. This is because the batter is pinched (jemput) into the oil with your fingers and thumb. I have to admit these banana fritters are sinfully oily. My only advice is to put on the highest heat when you are about to take it out from the oil and use lots of kitchen towels afterwards. 

Chocolate Roti Jala with Caramelised Bananas 焦糖香蕉巧克力网煎饼

I am going all artsy-fartsy today. It took me a long time to come out with this dish. I had this idea dancing in my head to reinvent our good old roti jala or lacy pancake into something sweet and upscale. If you are clueless about what roti jala is, you can click here to know a little more.

I was inspired to make a chocolate flavoured roti jala for a sweet dish instead. I then paired it with bananas that has been caramelised in sugar for that sugary glaze and bittersweet taste. Lastly, I topped the roti jala with some wholesome yogurt and a sprinkle of crushed nuts that are bursting in nutritional goodness. How is that for breakfast? Any takers?

Banana Flambe

About twenty odd years ago, I went for a short holiday in Germany. I stayed with my auntie who owned a quaint Chinese restaurant there. It was winter and the restaurant served this fried banana with ice-cream as dessert. To add on to that, the banana would be presented with liquor and set aflame in front to the customer. This banana flambe has etched itself in my mind ever since. I just love the theater, the drama that comes with the dish. It is really not a big deal but I think it serves up an excellent conversation point. It is really a genius way to elevate an otherwise common dish, both taste wise and presentation wise.

Crispy Fried Banana/Pisang Goreng 炸香蕉

Everybody knows how to fry a banana. But the ultimate test is to have your bananas crispy and the crispiness to last for hours. I have been experimenting quite a bit with different batter recipes but each time I was left wanting. The problem was always the durability of the crunch. Somehow it does not last as long as those I bought by the roadside. There are many batter recipes out there. Even fried bananas sellers have differing recipes. I personally love the Indonesian method whereby the pisang goreng is coated with another layer of "kremes" or crispy bits. After learning the traits from an actual fried banana seller, I finally managed to come out with a most crispy fried banana.

Chocolate Chip Banana Pancake 巧克力片香蕉煎饼

I am at it again. Making pancakes that is. This time a chocolate chip banana pancake. It is for my son. He dislikes rice but loves anything that has flour in it. Sometimes it feels like he is born on the wrong side of the world. He should be in some western countries whereby wheat is a staple. I made pancake for him again today but added some chocolate chips for variation. Pancakes are easy to whip up and it does not take long to make.

Banana Pancakes

While we are still with pancakes, here's another variation to the versatile pancake. If you do not like your pancakes plain, you can always add your choiced ingredient into the pancake to elevate the flavour. If I may, banana pancake is just too popular to ignore. If there is a people's choice award, this would be the one.  Although I am not a huge fan of banana, I like to include banana into the pancakes to add nutrition for my son.  And mind you, it is yummy too!