Description
Indulgent banana bread pudding merges classic comfort with Southern charm, blending ripe bananas and rich custard into a delightful dessert. Creamy, warm, and irresistibly sweet, you’ll savor each spoonful of this nostalgic treat that connects generations through its simple, heartwarming goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) beef flank steak, sliced against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
Marinating Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon regular soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 1/4 cup regular soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 8 dried red chilies
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4 scallions, white and green parts separated, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Slice ripe bananas into thin rounds, creating a delicate layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Tear bread into rustic, uneven chunks, allowing for varied texture and absorption of custard mixture.
- Whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl until smooth and slightly frothy, creating a light base for the pudding.
- Incorporate milk, cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon into the egg mixture, blending until completely combined and uniform in color.
- Gently pour the creamy custard over the bread chunks, ensuring every piece is thoroughly saturated and no dry spots remain.
- Sprinkle additional cinnamon and a light dusting of nutmeg across the surface for enhanced aromatic depth.
- Allow the pudding to rest for 15 minutes, enabling bread to fully absorb the rich custard before baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and slightly jiggly center.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10-15 minutes, allowing pudding to set and develop a more stable consistency.
- Serve warm, optionally garnishing with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Marinate beef for at least an hour to ensure maximum flavor absorption and tenderize the meat effectively.
- Pat beef dry before coating with cornstarch to achieve extra crispy texture and prevent soggy results.
- Use high heat when frying beef to create a golden-brown exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.
- Consider reducing oil quantity if seeking a lighter version of the dish, as shallow-frying can be calorie-intensive.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg