banana_chocolate

Banana Chocolate Bread
Pudding with Mint Creme Anglaise

                         Ingredients :
     * 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
        ( 1/4 cup )
     * 4 lightly eggs, lightly beaten
     * 1 cup light brown sugar
     * 3 cups heavy cream
     * 1 cup milk
     * 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
     * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
     * 2 ripe bananas , mashed
     * 1/2 cup pecan pieces
     * 6 cups day-old bread cubes ( 1/2-inch )
     * 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
     * 2 1/2 cups Mint Creme Angraise
     * 1 cup heavy cream , whipped with 1/2 teaspoon
        vanilla and 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
     * Confectioners' sugar

                      Instructions :
     1. Preheat the over to 350 F
     2. Brush a baking dish ( about 10 x 14 inches )
         with 2 tablespoons of the butter.
     3. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, brown sugar,
         cream and milk.
     4. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, bananas, pecans, bread,
         and chocolate and stir to blend thoroughly.
     5. Stir in the remaining 2 tabletspoons butter into the
         pudding mixture and por into the baking dish. Bake
         until firm , for about 1 hour.
     6. Remove from teh oven and allow the pudding to
         coolon a rack until just warm before cutting into
         squares.

             To serve , spread about 2 tablespoons of the Mint
     Creme Anglaise on each plate and top with a square of
     the pudding. Add a dollop of whipped cream , and
     dust with confectioners' sugar.

                             Yield : 15 servings