Caramelised banana crumpets
Forget about smothering toasted crumpets in butter; this low-fat topping is really yummy and much healthier. Lightly mashed bananas are mixed with creamy fromage frais and warm spices and piled onto crumpets, then finished by drizzling with honey and grilled until bubbling. It's the perfect quick sweet snack.
Ingredients
Serves: 4
- 4 crumpets
- 2 medium-sized bananas
- 4 tbsp fromage frais
- seeds from 4 cardamom pods, crushed
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to sprinkle
- 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
- 8 tsp clear honey
Method
Prep:2min ›
Cook:5min ›
Ready in:7min
- Preheat the grill to high. Arrange the crumpets on the rack of the grill pan and toast for 2–3 minutes on each side or until browned and crisp.
- Meanwhile, mash the bananas with a fork, keeping them a bit textured. Add the fromage frais, cardamom seeds, cinnamon and orange zest, and mix well together.
- Spread the banana mixture over the tops of the toasted crumpets, levelling the surface, then drizzle each with 1 tsp of the honey.
- Return to the grill and cook for 2–3 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and the honey is bubbling. Leave the crumpets to cool slightly, then sprinkle over a little extra cinnamon and serve.
Each serving provides
B2, B6, B12, C, niacin, calcium
Some more ideas
*Use wholemeal crumpets for added fibre.
*Instead of cardamom seeds, use ¼–½ tsp ground cardamom or freshly grated nutmeg, to taste.
*For nectarine or peach brioche fingers, cut 4 thick slices, about 20 g (¾ oz) each, from a brioche loaf. Toast under a preheated grill for about 30 seconds on each side. Divide 115 g (4 oz) ricotta cheese among the toasts and spread over one side, right to the edges (any exposed bread will burn). Cut each slice of brioche in half. Scatter over 45 g (1½ oz) toasted flaked almonds. Thinly slice 1 large ripe nectarine or peach and arrange on top, covering the almonds to prevent them from getting too brown. Drizzle each brioche with 1 tsp maple syrup and grill for 3–4 minutes or until golden and sizzling. Leave the brioche fingers to cool slightly before serving.
Plus points
*Bananas are a concentrated source of energy and one of the best fruit sources of the mineral potassium, which is vital for muscle and nerve functions. This is why bananas are very popular with sportsmen and women.
*Fromage frais, a soft cheese originating in France, is lower in fat than most other creamy cheeses. It is available in varying fat contents, from 8% down to 0%. Whichever version you choose, fromage frais can make a good contribution to calcium intake.
