Mike Wolfberg's Recipe for Kayla Halva - Sweet Mashed
Bananas
This is one of a dozen recipes developed by Mike for a Concord/Carlisle
Massachusetts Newcomers Gourmet Group dinner which
took place on 1-Mar-75.
(Approximate preparation
time: 50 minutes)
- 1/2 c well-packed dark brown sugar (4 1/2 oz.)
- 4 TBL. Blue Diamond roaster blanched slivered almonds
(1 1/2 oz.)
+ 15-20 slivers for decoration when serving
- 6 TBL. seedless (dark) raisins (3 oz.)
- scant 1/2 c. heavy cream
- 7 medium ripe bananas
- 2 TBL. ghee
- 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
- 1 TBL. rose water
- Measure the dark brown sugar to have it ready for use
in step 6.
- Measure the almonds and raisins to have them ready for
use in step 7.
- Measure the cream to have it ready for use in step 6.
- Peel and mash the bananas.
- In a 10"-12" frying pan heat the ghee over
medium -high heat until a drop of water flicked into it sputters
instantly. Add the mashed bananas and fry for 10 minutes, stirring
constantly. Use a long-handled spoon since the mixture tends to spatter.
If is spatters too much, reduce the heat.
- Add the dark brown sugar and heavy cream, and continue
cooking for another 10-15 minutes, stirring constantly until the
mixture begins to get sticky. If you lowered the heat in the previous
step, you can raise it again during this period, since the tendency to
spatter has been reduced.
- Stir in the almonds, raisins, and ground cardamom. Continue
cooking for 3 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Thoroughly stir in the rose water and remove from the heat. (This
yields about 4 c.) Put the mixture into an attractive serving dish or bowl
(preferably glass). Cover it after it cools. It can be refrigerated, but
is unnecessary when being served the same day.
Take
to the hosthome: the bananas and almond slivers for decoration.
To serve: Decorate the top with 15-20 almond slivers. Serve with the rest of
meal, rather than a separate dessert course. (Individuals may prefer to wait
until towards the end of the meal before sampling this dish.) It is best served
just a little cooler than room temperature.