Gastronomy: Top Chef’s Top Banana (Fritter)

The MCMs have been a long-time fan of Bravo’s Top Chef. Although this season took off with a slower-than-usual start, Ed Cotton’s banana fritter creation finally made us excited to try a Season 7 recipe at home. The perfect blend of sweet and spicy, this Asian-inspired delicacy is as easy to impress your guests as it is to make. Serve it with a dollop of coconut ice cream or simply dusted with some powdered sugar for the perfect ending to an evening with family or friends.

Ed Cotton’s Banana Fritters

1 c flour
1 T sesame seeds
½ t baking powder
1 ½ T sugar
½ t salt
½ T honey
1 egg
1 c beer
Chili paste or sauce
Sugar/cinnamon blend (2 parts sugar to 1 part cinnamon; just enough to dust fritters)
Powdered sugar
4 c vegetable oil
Bananas

In mixing bowl, hand mix the first 5 dry ingredients. Once blended, add honey, egg, and beer; mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Do not over-mix batter; set aside.

In a 2 quart sauce pan, add vegetable oil and begin to heat over high heat. While oil is heating, peel bananas and cut into 1 ½ - 2 inch rounds. Brush each round with a thin-layer of chili paste. (Plan on serving 2-3 fritters per person.)

Once oil is heated to 350 degrees, dip chili-covered banana rounds, one at a time, into batter and drop gently into oil; repeat. After 1 - 2 minutes or until golden brown, remove each banana fritter from oil using a slotted spoon. Drain on a paper towel-covered plate to remove excess oil.

While fritters are still warm, roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, dust with powdered sugar, and serve immediately. The lightly crisp outside married to the tender, heat-kissed inside is a taste sensation truly worthy of top chef.

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