In many ways, the Americans and the British are miles apart, but it seems that the culinary differences hit high on the list. Take, for example, sweet potato desserts. In England, such a thing doesn’t exist. Sweet potatoes across the pond are viewed as a savory dish that’s boiled, roasted or steamed. By the same token, there are dishes in England that Americans have never heard of, and one of them is "banoffee pie.” The word “banoffee” entered the English language to describe any food or product that tastes or smells of both banana and toffee. The banoffee pie is made from bananas, whipped cream, and a thick caramel sauce, combined on either a buttery cookie base or one made from crumbled cookies and butter. If you would like to take a trip across the pond without having to leave your kitchen, here’s a recipe to whip up a banoffee pie……..that you can enjoy with a nice cup of tea.
Ingredients:
• 1¼cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 whole graham crackers)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2½ cups store-bought dulce de leche (about 20 ounces).
Note: You can buy Nestle La Lechera Dulce de Leche at Walmart.
• 3 large bananas, peeled and sliced about ¼-inch thick
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350ºF.
2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt. Stir until fully incorporated and you can pinch it between your fingers and it sticks together.
3. Please the crust in a 9” pie plate and using your fingers press the mixture across the plate and up the sides.
4. Bake 12-15 minutes until set.
5. Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
6. Spoon the dulce de leche into the pie crust and spread into an even layer.
7. Pile banana slices into an even layer (they should overlap).
8. Place the pie in the refrigerator for one hour.
9. Spread whipped cream on top of the bananas, making sure to spread it to the edge.
10. Return the pie to the refrigerator for 2 hours or up to overnight.
11. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings, if desired.
