Uncle Jimmy (James John Bellia) was amazing. He lived to be 95, working at the New Orleans Country Club well into his 80’s. He emigrated to the U.S. from Malta as a teenager, served in the U.S. Army, rode as a jockey in Chicago, and then catered for celebrities as the maître d'hôtel at the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans for many years. Out of all the famous people he met there, he fell in love with Aunt Annie Belle and married her! When we would visit them, Uncle Jimmy usually made Bananas Foster for us.
Bananas Foster originated in New Orleans in the early 1950's at the Vieux Carre' Restaurant. Ella Brennan (yes, those Brennans) and chef Paul Glange' created this dish from one that Ella's mother made. It's popular for a lazy New Orleans brunch. To taste the original recipe at its best, go on down to Brennan's Restaurant in the New Orleans French Quarter.
Ingredients
4 teaspoons butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup rum 4 bananas 4 scoops vanilla ice cream |
Jimmy Bellia
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Steps
- Peel bananas, slice in half lengthwise, then cut in half (tradition) or regular slices (my favorite). Set aside.
- Melt butter in a skillet. Add sugar and cinnamon and stir well to mix. Heat for a few minutes, taking care not to burn.
- Then put the bananas in the skillet and sauté until soft and a little browned.
- Add the rum - but BE CAREFUL, IT MAY FLAME UP. If it does, just remove the pan from the heat.
- Lift out the bananas and put on serving plates.
- Top with ice cream and sauce from the pan.
