Fluffy Pancakes with Caramel Bananas

So when I get the chance to have a decent breakfast, I like to go all out. I knew I wasn't starting work until a little later (7:30am instead of 6:00am), so I took the chance to whip up a batch of pancakes for my fiancé and me.

I had all the ingredients I needed for my pancakes but I had a problem...a BIG problem. No Maple Syrup...yep you read correctly and I know what you're thinking. How can you have pancakes without maple syrup. It is unheard of, unthinkable, unimaginable! I needed a plan...and quick.



Ok, so we all know that Bananas go well with pancakes so why not make up a caramel sauce that the bananas can cook in and then drizzle the whole lot over the pancakes.

Makes 8

Ingredients

Pancakes

1 1/4 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp caster sugar
130ml milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp melted butter (allowed to cool slightly), plus extra for cooking


Caramel Bananas

4 bananas
90g brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
60g butter


Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and caster sugar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl or jug, lightly whisk together the milk and egg, then whisk in the melted butter. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and, using a fork, beat until you have a smooth batter. Any lumps will soon disappear with a little mixing. Let the batter stand for a few minutes.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of butter. When it's melted, add a ladle of batter (or two if your frying pan is big enough to cook two pancakes at the same time). It will seem very thick but this is how it should be. Wait until the top of the pancake begins to bubble, then turn it over and cook until both sides are golden brown and the pancake has risen to about 1cm thick.

Repeat until all the batter is used up. You can keep the pancakes warm in a low oven, but they taste best fresh out the pan.

Slice bananas in half and then lengthways. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar & vanilla and bring to the boil. Allow to boil and thicken. Once thickened add bananas and leave to simmer for 5
minutes.

Serve on pancakes or with vanilla bean ice cream. You can also allow to completely cool, then blend with ice and milk for a delicious morning milkshake.

Really simple, really tasty and so so moorish.

Bon Appetit from The Little Gated Kitchen