Sometimes you want a dessert that contains chocolate. Correction: sometimes you need a dessert that contains chocolate. And peanut butter. And that is melting, gooey, and gorgeous.
Well, I have the perfect recipe for all you chocolate-peanut butter lovers out there, who don't want to compromise on flavour, or their healthy diet. It takes minutes, and tastes amazing. You have the peanut butter, rich in protein and healthy fats that your body needs for repair, growth, insulation, energy, and the absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Then we have the banana itself, rich in potassium, tryptophan, fibre and natural sweetness. Cinnamon adds yet more flavour, and aids in the control of blood sugar- this helps to avoid blood sugar spikes and dips, which could lead to cravings. Finally there comes the dark chocolate: rich in antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, copper and iron. I opt for an 85% cocoa content. Ideally, go for anything 75% cocoa and up- Aldi do a brilliant range of dark chocolates..
So, are you ready to give this recipe a try? I'm assuming the answer is a "yes", to which my answer is "that's what I thought". Let's get started then...
Ingredients:
- 1 small banana, super ripe
- 1tsp smooth peanut butter (feel free to use chunky if you prefer)
- 5-10g 85% dark chocolate (sounds like a small amount, but I used a 1/4 of an individual bar of Moser Roth chocolate, which worked out at approx. 6g. This was the perfect amount.)
- Cinnamon, to taste
- OPTIONAL: Greek yoghurt and strawberries, or even frozen yoghurt, to serve.
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 180*c
- Peel the majority of the skin off the banana, leaving a strip along the bottom (as shown in the picture) for the banana to sit on. Place this onto a large piece of foil and then into an oven proof dish.
- Using a sharp knife slice a section of banana away, from one end of the fruit to the other. Using a spoon and knife fill this section with the peanut butter, gently spreading it out.
- Break the chocolate into small shards and push these into the peanut butter. Sprinkle the banana with as much, or as little, cinnamon as you would like.
- Bring the foil up around the banana and gently scrunch the top up, leaving space around the banana for the hot air to circulate- like a delicious but badly wrapped Christmas present (its the thought that counts).
- Place the banana parcel into the preheated oven, for 12-15 minutes.
- Once this time has passed lift the banana out of the oven and carefully unwrap the foil. Place the banana into a dish (still on its skin, unless you just want mush in a bowl) and dig in...
Labels: banana, cheat clean, chocolate, dark chocolate, dessert, Food, healthy dessert, healthy diet, healthy food, peanut butter, sweet, vegetarian
