What!!! You've put bananas in it?!?!
 |
| Banoffee Heaven! |
Kiddo was truly outraged!
Like why on earth (in her humble opinion) would anyone ruin something so tasty sounding, by adding something as healthy as FRUIT??!!
But she, of course had never had Banoffee Pie, and the last time I ate one, was... well before she ever came along, for sure. If only I had known then, what I know now... well, I think I would have made sure I ate a whole lot more... whilst I still could!!
It's taken me a while, but finally, I have got 'round to making my own - dairy, gluten and soya free - thanks to a few key ingredients, which up until now, were not available to me!
Et voila!
 |
| Lookee here! |
A while back, I noted, in a Free From magazine, that a Chinese Supermarket which also sells its products online, was now stocking dairy free condensed milk made from coconut. I was chuffed at the time, because I had been researching recipes online, so I could make dairy free condensed milk, so I could make my own caramel. BUT... anything that you can buy ready made... well why wouldn't you??
I took a while to get 'round to actually purchasing some, but by the time I did, I noticed their range had extended - to include some vital Banoffee ingredients: caramel sauce and whipping cream.
Job's a good 'un!!
Thought I, and I promptly ordered some (from here, in case you're wondering*)!!
I then ordered my fave (and only suitable) digestives - Barkat's gluten free digestives (see here), which are also dairy free and soya free, then set to work!
Ingredients:
I pack Barkat digestive biscuits (150g)
65g Pure Sunflower margarine
2 large bananas
1 jar of coconut caramel sauce
1 tin of coconut whipping cream (chilled in advance)
1 bar Moo Free Chocolate
You will also need:
20 cm round non-stick tin with lift out base (greased)
Method:
1. Use a wooden rolling pin to take out your aggression on the packet of digestives, until you're left with fine crumbs. You can use a food processor, of course, but I find bashing biscuits rather therapeutic!
2. Melt the margarine in a small saucepan, then combine with the breadcrumbs. Ease this mixture into the base of your tin. Use the back of a spoon, to pat it into place. Cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to chill for around 1/2 hour.
3. Take the base from the fridge and spread the contents of the jar of caramel sauce across the base.
4. Chop the bananas into even slices and spread across the layer of caramel.
5. Take the can of chilled whipping cream and whip at full speed, as per the instructions on the tin. You really do need to chill the coconut cream first. I left it in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you could try making your own cream, using chilled coconut milk. I have done this in the past, and had variable results with other coconut milks, but this one did work.
6. Use a spatula to gently spread the cream over the layer of banana. Then grate some sprinkles of chocolate over the top. Job done!! Now you can either leave in the fridge to chill, or...
7. Remove from the tin, by placing the tin on an upturned dessert bowl, and gently, pushing the sides down, before lifting the base. Then just serve straight onto plates and tuck in! Of course, you could also just eat it straight from the baking tin, if you're desperate, but only if you're intending to eat it all yourself. However, I wouldn't advise the second approach. A pud like this, needs, nay deserves to be savoured in measured pieces - take it from me, you really can have too much of a good thing! ;)
* Oh and just to add, other places, besides the Chinese supermarket are also beginning to stock Nature's Charm. Ocado have had the evaporated milk and condensed milk on their system for a few weeks, but up until now, they didn't appear to be in stock. They now seem to be available and are on special offer, so what are you waiting for? Hopefully, these will prove so popular, that they'll soon add the caramel sauce and whipping cream to their range. Another place to look for these ingredients is Ethica - an online Vegan store.
Please note:
This post is not an advert. I have not been paid to write this post. I am not sponsored in any way, even by advertising. I do not receive products free to review, although I have often been offered them. This is to try and maintain an unbiased approach. All views expressed are my own (unless I've asked for The Hub's or Kiddo's). I try to tell is 'as-it-is'.
Other pud posts you may enjoy:
