frozen banana bites

frozen bananas are one of those treats that i love but i eat them so infrequently and forget about them in between. i think the last one i had was about a year ago while strolling the boardwalk in san diego...which was the perfect place for a frozen banana!

but the thing about them is that, really, they are the simplest thing to make at home. jill and i made them once (and it was hilarious) but i think that was the only time. thankfully, bon appetit reminded me that this is really something i should do more often. they're a delicious indulgence that's really not so bad for you. i mean, dark chocolate is supposed to be good for you right? and then it's just a banana inside! so eat as many as you want and don't feel guilty afterwards.
chocolate-dipped frozen banana bites
(from bon appetit, april 2009)
ingredients*:
2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons canola oil
3 ripe bananas, peeled, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
assorted toppings for coating bananas (i did walnuts, peanuts and toasted coconut. they also suggest crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, toffee bits, etc.)

stir chocolate and oil in heavy small saucepan over low heat just until smooth. let stand 15 minutes to cool.

place each topping in separate shallow dish. line baking sheet with foil. arrange banana slices on foil. using fingers, dip one banana slice in chocolate, coating completely. shake off excess chocolate.

drop dipped banana in 1 topping. using clean hand, sprinkle more topping over banana to coat; transfer to foil-lined sheet. repeat with all banana slices. freeze until firm, about 3 hours, and serve.

*i did three bananas and the recommended 2 cups of chocolate and i ended up with tons leftover. i think 1 cup would probably be enough.

-d