Banana Cue Recipe
Banana cue (banana barbecue) refers to fried skewered plantains cooked with brown sugar. This dessert is a staple in the Philippines, and people love having it as a mid-afternoon snack. Hailed as one of the best-selling street foods in the country, you can easily spot banana cue around the streets of the Philippines. But if you don’t have access to one right now and only have the basic ingredients to make it, we got your back with this banana cue recipe.
Why People Love Banana Cue
People love this banana cue recipe for several reasons.
For one, its caramelized texture makes it a hit among those with a sweet tooth. The caramelized brown sugar coating goes so well with the soft, warm banana inside. These give people a satisfying crunch with each bite.
Banana barbecue is also easy to eat. Since it’s on skewers, it’s easy to eat outside― no utensils needed.
Additionally, banana barbecue reminds people of fun childhood moments and local festivals. In other words, it’s a piece of the culinary scene that people cherish.
Plus, banana cue is affordable, making it accessible to everyone. Whether as an afternoon snack or a sweet treat after a meal, it remains a beloved delicacy for its taste, convenience, and cultural significance.
Banana Cue Cooking Tips
Here are some cooking tips that’ll take your banana barbecue to the next level:
Pick the right bananas.
Use saba bananas or plantains for the best texture and taste. They should be ripe but firm enough to hold their shape when deep-fried.
Properly heat the oil.
Make sure to heat the oil enough before adding the bananas. Doing this ensures they cook evenly. It also helps the sugar caramelize properly, but not so hot that it burns.
Skewer them while hot.
Once the bananas are cooked and still hot, skewer them on bamboo sticks. The heat makes them easier to skewer and helps the caramelized sugar set quickly.
What to Serve With Banana Cue
Banana Cue pairs well with many items, making it an all-around snack. Here are some foods you can serve with it:
Hot Beverage
You can serve your banana cue with a cup of hot coffee or tea. The hot beverage pairs well with the warm, sweet, caramelized banana, especially on a cold day.
Ice Cream
Great news to the ice cream lovers out there! You can serve the beloved treat with some ice cream, preferably vanilla. The cold ice cream contrasts well with the warm, crispy banana.
Rice Cake
People often enjoy the snack with traditional rice cakes or kakanin like puto or bibingka, adding a nice, spongy texture to the snack.
Peanut Butter
If you’re up for a nutty twist, we recommend drizzling some peanut butter over the banana cue. Its nutty, rich flavor goes perfectly with the caramelized sugar and banana.
Fresh Fruits
Serve it with fresh slices of mango or a fresh fruit salad. Doing this adds freshness and a slightly sour flavor that cuts through the sweetness.
Coconut Shavings
Keep things interesting by adding toasted coconut shavings over the top. This gives it a tropical twist and an extra crunch.
Sweet Glaze
You can also drizzle honey or sprinkle some cinnamon on top of your banana barbecue to add layers to the sweet snack.
How to Store Banana Cue
Storing your banana barbecue is crucial in keeping its texture and flavor. Here are some tips to ensure it stays as delicious as when it was first made:
Cool Down Completely
Let it cool down to room temperature before storing. Storing them while warm makes the moisture build-up, making them soggy.
Use Airtight Containers
Place the cooled banana barbecue in an airtight container. Doing this keeps the moisture and other contaminants out. It also helps preserve the crispness of the snack.
Put in Room Temperature for Short-Term Storage
You can keep the banana barbecue at room temperature if you’re planning to eat it within the day. Just make sure to place them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Refrigerate for Longer Storage
If you want to store them for longer, the fridge got your back. Just take note that the cold temperature may harden the banana and soften the sugar coating slightly. However, they’ll still be tasty.
Reheat Before Serving
Reheat them in the oven or microwave after taking them out of storage. Doing this helps restore some of the crispness and makes the bananas warm again.
Don’t Freeze Them
Freezing and thawing them can drastically affect their texture and flavor. They also make the bananas mushy and the coating watery.
Banana Cue Recipe
Banana Cue Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ripe saba bananas or plantains
- 1 cup brown sugar
- cooking oil for deep frying
- 6 bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Heat enough oil in a pan on medium heat. Don’t put too much oil, just enough to cover about half of the banana.cooking oil for deep frying
- Gently peel bananas while keeping them whole. Set them aside.6 ripe saba bananas or plantains
- Once the oil is hot, gradually sprinkle in half of the brown sugar. Wait until the sugar starts to caramelize.1 cup brown sugar
- Carefully submerge the bananas into the hot oil. Put them on top of the caramelized brown sugar. After a minute, start turning the bananas.
- Put some sugar on top of the bananas and in the surrounding oil. Then, fry the bananas for about a minute more. Turn again and continue with this process until you have added all of the brown sugar.
- Keep on turning them every minute or two to fry them evenly.
- Cook the bananas until they are golden and coated in the sugar. The cooking time varies depending on how big the bananas are. This usually takes eight to ten minutes in total.
- Once done, remove the excess oil by placing the banana barbecue on a clean plate or cooling rack. You can also make them stand in a colander to drain the oil. Don’t place them on paper towels because they might stick.
- Once they’re cool enough, skewer one or two of them onto some barbecue sticks.6 bamboo skewers
- Dig in and enjoy!
Cuisine: Filipino
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 skewers
Ingredients:
6 ripe saba bananas or plantains
1 cup brown sugar
cooking oil for deep frying
6 bamboo skewers
Instructions:
- Heat enough oil in a pan on medium heat. Don’t put too much oil, just enough to cover about half of the banana.
- Gently peel bananas while keeping them whole. Set them aside.
- Once the oil is hot, gradually sprinkle in half of the brown sugar. Wait until the sugar starts to caramelize.
- Carefully submerge the bananas into the hot oil. Put them on top of the caramelized brown sugar. After a minute, start turning the bananas.
- Put some sugar on top of the bananas and in the surrounding oil. Then, fry the bananas for about a minute more. Turn again and continue with this process until you have added all of the brown sugar.
- Keep on turning them every minute or two to fry them evenly.
- Cook the bananas until they are golden and coated in the sugar. The cooking time varies depending on how big the bananas are. This usually takes eight to ten minutes in total.
- Once done, remove the excess oil by placing the banana barbecue on a clean plate or cooling rack. You can also make them stand in a colander to drain the oil. Don’t place them on paper towels because they might stick.
- Once they’re cool enough, skewer one or two of them onto some barbecue sticks.
- Dig in and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Banana cue means banana barbecue. It is made by frying bananas with brown sugar and putting them on skewers.
The characteristics of banana cue are: sweet, caramelized, and soft on the inside.
Yes, banana cue is a native delicacy in the Philippines.
Conclusion
If you want a treat that combines the sweet, caramelized goodness of brown sugar with rich bananas, print or bookmark this banana cue recipe.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your kitchen tools and equipment now and start making your way into people’s stomachs and hearts. Happy cooking!
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