Bananas After Dark

I was just eating my midday snack, a banana, when I noticed the Dole sticker on the peel. It said Go Bananas After Dark and listed a website. Usually, I am not suspect to fruit label advertising, but it intrigued me. I was thinking it had something to do with how eating a banana before bedtime can stir up nightmares. Nope. The website lists dinner recipes with bananas as a key ingredient and other interesting factual and nutrition info. I guess they are trying to increase the consumption of bananas. They're not just for breakfast anymore! Well, they have me convinced. One of their recipes for Grilled Bacon Maple Banana Bites looks delicious. But what isn't delicious that's wrapped in bacon?

INGREDIENTS:


· 1/4 cup maple syrup
· 8 slices center-cut bacon
· 2 large DOLE© Bananas
· 1tsp. chili powder

· 1tsp. chili powder

DIRECTIONS:

· preheat gas grill to medium heat
· spray grill grates with cooking spray or lightly oil
· pour maple syrup into shallow dish
· place bacon onto a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels
· cover with another paper towel and microwave on high for 1 minute or until bacon just barely begins to cook, but is still pliable and not crisp
· sprinkle peeled bananas with chili powder
· cut each banana into four roughly equal pieces
· roll each piece in maple syrup and wrap in one slice of bacon
· serve with toothpick 
· grill on medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until bacon is nicely browned & crisp, turning occasionally
· serve immediately

Bye Bye Summer

 

Don't get me wrong. I do not think I will be missing 100°+ weather that summer can unleash upon us, but with the coming season, I have to say good-bye to one of my favorite summer fruits for a whole year. This is a task I am not sure I can handle. You see, I love fruit more than anyone I know! It's hard to settle for just citrus fruits and apples all winter long. Where's the variety? 

I am not sure what got into me this summer but I was having a full on love affair with watermelon. Not just with the the pre-cut & packaged containers that you can pick up at the local grocer on occasion, but with the humongous 8 lb. watermelon that you need both arms to haul to the car. Don't even try the resting it on your hip trick. The watermelons that I was devouring all summer were enormous and would only last for a few days. I was eating watermelon morning, noon, and night. I even got my little pup obsessed. He loves it, too. Every time I open the container in the fridge- he'd come a runnin'. "Good boy", I'd say as I gave him a few pieces. He appreciates the sweet watery crunch just like his mama.

It's been sweet, but now it's time to say good-bye...until next year. I don't know what I'll do without you.

picture credit: cashon and company