Banana lovers rejoice! Here is a feast of mouth-watering recipes for your favorite fruit, from breakfast to main dishes to desserts: Crisp-fried plantain chips dipped in fiery pepper sauce. Sea bass fillets grilled in aromatic banana leaves. Caramelized banana cream pie. Healthful smoothies, hearty vegetarian meals, cool banana cocktails, and, yes, the ultimate banana bread, studded with chunks of dark chocolate.
This stuffing proves that everything goes better with bacon. Plantains and apples lend fruit overtones, and walnuts a bit of crunch. Hot sausage can be used in place of the bacon. Try this as a moist and flavorful stuffing for your Thanksgiving bird. It is even better with homemade gravy--spike it with sherry-drizzled over it.
Makes: about 12 cups, or 12 to 16 servings
1/2 pound slab bacon
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 celery ribs and heart with leaves, chopped
2 Granny Smith or other tart apples, cored and diced
3 cups white bread cubes, dried overnight or toasted in the oven
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 cup walnut pieces, coarsely chopped and toasted
2 large eggs
1 cup half-and-half
2 tablespoons dry sherry or cognac
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly milled black pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup chicken or turkey broth
Cut away the tough rind from the underside of the bacon. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces, about 1/4-inch thick. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until browned on all sides. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside. You should have about 1/3 cup of bacon drippings; if not, add olive oil to make 1/3 cup.
Heat the drippings and the butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, celery, apples, and plantains and cook, stirring, until the onions are soft. Add the sage and thyme, and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until fragrant.
