Sunday, January 5, 2014

I'M  GOING  BANANAS!

Its Cold. Like seriously Cold for Alabama weather, and all I keep thinking about is how nice it would be to sit by a warm fire...which then makes me think of S'mores! I am a huge fan of s'mores, but they aren't exactly the healthiest afternoon snack for my tot. Collins has recently gotten fairly picky, which makes things pretty tough on me when i am already trying to cook on her special diet. Collins LOVES marshmallows and Enjoy Life (dairy/soy/nut free) chocolate chips. So, I decided to make a cold day treat that plays off the idea of the S'more that is actually fairly healthy. I think I will call them...

FUNKY MONKEY BAKED BANANAS! (low fat/vegan/gluten free)

1 Ripe but firm Banana
Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips or Dark Chocolate chips of your choice
Marshmallows
(Another great addition would be 2 of teaspoons of all natural peanut butter)
Aluminum Foil

Preheat oven to 350

Peel your banana carefully. Place the banana smiley face up on a piece of foil. Then cut a slit down the middle of your banana, leaving the ends un cut. Your cut should resemble a v at each each (so you have a little room to hollow out similar to this: < >
Take a fork and carefully remove the banana slit in the middle. Now fill your banana as you wish! I put marshmallows side by side and then sprinkled my little choc. chips throughout, but you can do it however you want. Now wrap your banana tightly in your foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 13-15 minutes until soft when you grab it with your potholder. Unwrap and enjoy!


See the v-slit I cut??
 
Leave your ends uncut like a canoe



I cooked this in the oven, but this would also be great on the grill. Wrap the same and just cook for about 16 minutes, flipping halfway.

Topping options:

Dark Chocolate
Marshmallows
All Natural Peanut Butter
Graham Crackers crumbled up
Chopped nuts
Caramels (not as healthy)
Flax Seeds
Chia Seeds
Granola
Dried fruit chopped up
Nutella
White Chocolate Chips (Not as healthy)
Shredded Coconut
Cinnamon