The Good & The Bad

Before I start this post: Sorry the pictures are not too pretty, it is a little hard with black skinned bananas 😛

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You know what? More often than not, if you have a really good run going on in life, there will be something bad to stop your flow. I am not saying something bull-charging-towards-you bad but each day has a bittersweet element.

Of course we have those days that everything is sweet but they are evened out by those days that everything is bitter no?

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It seems funny to me that I have never realised this till now. I would have thought it was obvious!
I realised it on the day my nose piercing got infected (the bitter part). Seems like I need an anti-allergen one 😛 – looks like a repierce is in order for the holidays!
Sorry, back to what I was saying!

banana boat2Basically one that day, I had memorised my French, finished my homework, controlled my sweet tooth pretty well 😉 and was having a pretty brilliant day over all. Then at night, it happened. And the rest of the day felt like a bust.

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But I have to wonder. Looking back, why did I react so upset? Sure it is a bummer, but I guess I forgot that unlike with ears, not both sides of your nose gets pierced :P… unless you want that in the first place!

The point is, I let that one bitter thing ruin a pretty good day! Why should I let that happen, it just seems so futile no?

The same goes for yesterday. I bombed my French speaking a little because that is what happens when you kind of lose your voice the period before and then start coughing during the exam :P. The day was cold, rainy, pretty miserable. But after a rant, I made sure this entire bitter day did not stay that way.

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I went home and made what you have been seeing while (I hope) reading 😉
I relaxed and enjoyed the fact that I had no study to do until today (Wednesday) 😛

And you know what? I loved it! I turned what could have been a pretty cruddy day overall into a bad day with an upside 🙂
I like doing that. Want to keep doing it 🙂

banana boat10
Anyway so moral is to always focus on the good stuff and if there is no good stuff, get up and make it (we can all cook, or at the very least, get out a bowl of ice cream :D)

So here are some good times pictures!

1. I won a lava cake from Baskin Robbins and ate every single delicious bite teamed with ice cream and melted whipped cream. Kill me, it was gorgeous!

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2. It really made my days when both Sally, a.k.a The Cat Protectress, @ Catpurrology and Lisa @ La Vie Eclectique awarded me with the Blog On Fire Award! Burn? I don’t think so. Hot? You bet it is 😀 😀
If you have not visited these fabulous bloggers, then I realllllly think you need to! CP is cat (her cat is the cutest – Slash!) enthusiast and against mistreatment of animals! Lisa, as it says in her About page is all for pursuing an eclectic life style, recording her wonderful life through her blog as she goes!

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As far as this award goes, it requires you to nominate 8 other bloggers + tell 8 things about yourself.
Since I was lucky enough to recently receive the Versatile Blogger Award where I revealed some things about myself, I will not bore you with more information about my life 😛

I will however, nominate these amazing bloggers! Congrats guys 😀

3. My mum surprised me with this amazingly smooth, rich and creamy cheesecake slice from a local cafe, Jamaica Blue! Thank you mummy 🙂 🙂

IMG_7601And now, if you are having a less than perfect day, I want to brighten it up with this creation (which I ate on behalf of you all, you must know this :D)

The banana becomes all smooth, soft and mushy, the brownie batter is undercooked and fudgy, but it is eggless so all good,  and the skin should be close to falling straight off the banana 😀

Enjoy the 4-B treat my friends!

Brownie Batter Banana Boats
An original Choc Chip Uru recipe

Serves: 8 people + makes extra brownies

Ingredients

Eggless Brown Butter Brownie Batter/Brownies

  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbs butter
  • 100g dark chocolate
  • 1/2 tsp coffee essence
  • 1/2 cup full cream milk (add in 2 tbs at a time)

** Use leftover brownie batter and make brownies by lining a pan with baking paper, and baking in a preheated oven of 160 degrees C for 15-20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out with gooey crumbs!

Other

  • 8 large, semi-ripe bananas (if you have fully ripe, the skin will not be firm enough to hold boat shape)
  • Any other add-ins desired – coconut, hot fudge, caramel sauce, chopped caramels, sweet chips, chopped chocolate bars, extra fruit, fruit sauce, spices, marshmallows 🙂 (I went all brownie batter ;))

Method

Brownie Batter

  1. Sift all dry ingredients into a large bowl
  2. Brown butter over the stove until a nutty smell arises and colour has changed – immediately remove off heat and let cool till lukewarm
  3. While cooking, add in dark chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes before gently stirring in so it melted and combines with butter
  4. Add in coffee essence and stir wet ingredients into dry
  5. Add in milk, 2 tbs at a time until desired gooey consistency

Assembly

  1. Preheat grill to medium-low
  2. Place bananas on their sides, and using a paring knife, make an incision through the skin from the top of the banana to the bottom lengthways (do not slice through the bottom of the banana)

    MA 15+ picture!

    MA 15+ picture!

  3. Using a spoon, gently widen the cavity and scoop out some banana if more space required
  4. Spoon in generous dollops of brownie batter
    banana boat7
  5. Smooth top, sprinkle or swirl through additional toppings
  6. Place in grill for 1-2 minutes or until the skin turns black and soft (watch it like an eagle! It goes from fine to burnt in seconds!)
  7. Take out carefully, serve vanilla ice cream and then eat (but they will be VERY hot, so try not to burn your fingers or your tongue!)
It went a little too fast ;)

It went a little too fast 😉

Notes

  • If the top crust of the filling burns a little just scrape it off and release the gooey-ness underneath 😀

Hope I made your day better mes amis, I shall see you all on an exam-free weekend!

Ciao!!!

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101 Comments

  4. thyme (Sarah) says:

    It’s amazing how a bar that has the words “Cadbury” stops me in my tracks. Everything else looked delicious…but that BAR of Cadburys with the nuts inside. Ooooooo weeeee. Have a wonderful vacation and snuggle up!

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  7. Kimby says:

    Choc Chip Uru, your perspectives on good and bad are wise beyond your years. (It took me a lot longer than that to figure it out!) This grilled banana brownie looks like it could cure the worst of days — (not that food is a “fix” — but… sometimes!) Love the “I am so gooey” caption, too!

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  8. Minnie@thelady8home says:

    The only situation that does not have an upside to it is a family which has lots it’s young one. Other than that, there are very few things in life which do not have an upside, no matter how grim.

    You are a brilliant young woman Uru. LOVED the recipe. I was almost on the tip of going into hibernation – summer has been really busy, but your sweets woke me up.

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  13. Liz says:

    I’m so glad you had plenty of good to balance out any bad in your day! This banana boat definitely qualifies as good! And I predict you’ll have written a cookbook by the time you’re 25 if you keep making up such fantastic recipes!!! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Awww thank you so so much 😀
      That is only a dream for me my friend – The Studen’ts Cook Book… sighs and starts daydreaming 😉
      Hope you have a great weekend too!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  28. Chocolate Chilli Mango® says:

    One thing I have learned in life is that, no matter what the situation, there is ALWAYS an upside, if you bother to look for one.
    Seems you are wiser than me, having figured this out while still young! Good for you, never forget it 🙂

    Fabulous recipe…GENIUS idea, truly! Love it love it love it.

    Buzzzzzzzzed you.

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  29. Viviane says:

    One thing I have learned in life is that, no matter what the situation, there is ALWAYS an upside, if you bother to look for it.
    Seems you are wiser than me, having realised it so young. Good for you!!
    Fabulous idea with the banana filled with brownie….GENIUS.

    love it. kudos. BUZZZZZZZZ 🙂

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  32. Lyn @LovelyPantry says:

    I like this – “focus on the good stuff and if there is no good stuff, get up and make it”…Thats the spirit! This banana boat looks so yummy. I mean you can’t go wrong with chocolate and bananas, right!!??? Congrats on the award and thank you for offering it to me! *hugs*

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  37. Susie says:

    This looks like the perfect treat to turn a day around. There will always be those days…but a little treat certainly makes them better. Having loved ones around you helps a lot to. 🙂

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  38. Kristy says:

    I have never seen a banana made like this before! Very cool technique. And CCU, you are wise beyond your years. I love your attitude. If you continue with this kind of optimism you’ll be ahead of many. 🙂 Thanks for the reminder as well. There is far more good than bad…even if the bad does get you down every now and then.

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  39. the squishy monster says:

    Gosh, I can’t remember the last time I went to Baskin Robbins, now I must go soon! Also, I’ve never had a banana boat but it looks easy enough and completely delish so I must! YAY…lots of new things to try =D

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  40. Courtney says:

    Awww, thanks for the optimistic reminders! It does help to count your blessings sometimes when your day has taken a turn. 🙂 Love the banana brownies, too!

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  43. Suzie says:

    I love your attitude, turn that frown upside down! You are so creative when making new things, who would of thought to use a banana like you have! Congrats on your award and thank you! 🙂

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  44. Paula says:

    Congratulations on the Baskin Robbins win! This is certainly a very unique dessert. Glad you are taking the bad with the good and making the most of it.

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  45. The Mom Chef says:

    I’ve never considered using the banana peel itself as a cooking and serving vessel. Brilliant! I like you attitude towards life. It makes total sense, doesn’t it. Not much you can change when things go wrong EXCEPT your attitude to those things. Well done!

    Congrats on the award too. It’s well deserved.

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  47. atasteofmadess says:

    This looks delicious! I love anything ice cream.
    I definitely agree though. Looking at the good side. You see, something similar has happened to me: yesterday I got my wisdom teeth out, so it hurts SO much to eat anything solid. So I’m forced to eat ice cream. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. It could be worse :p

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  48. sprint2thetable says:

    This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!!! AND I know I could “heathify” this with a protein brownie recipe. Do you think it would work in the oven? I don’t have a grill. 😦

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Thanks so much 😀
      And great idea making it healthy 😉
      Um, it should but the oven should be preheated and it may bake even faster – there is no reason why it shouldn’t 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  49. Alice says:

    This looks awesome! At first I thought it was one of those nearly-rotten bananas I use for banana bread. haha. But chocolate is MUCH better than rot!!

    Congrats on Blog on Fire and feel better about the difficulties in your life! You rock 🙂

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  50. Barbara says:

    I’ve made these…and while photos are not the prettiest, the flavor is to die for. Love making banana bread with roasted bananas too. Never thought of brownies.

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  53. amy donovan (@amy_donovan) says:

    your brownie batter banana boats are too fun! and that cheesecake from your mum looks AMAZING! glad to hear that your not-so-good mood was able to get turned around. i agree – it’s amazing how focusing on the good things can make a bad day better!

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  54. A_Boleyn says:

    You make the most decadent desserts, CCU, as well,as just eating them in general, and with so much evident enjoyment. 🙂 The lemon glazed cheesecake was particularly appealing especially at this point when desserts have let me down.

    I made some matcha and white chocolate biscuits (think of a sort of shortbread) yesterday and was disappointed in the result especially as I had been looking forward to using my pricey matcha powder in this dish for some time. I’ll go back to making some matcha-honey madeleines with the rest of the container. And now that I have a camera, I can take some pictures of them.

    http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/tag/matcha

    The matcha madeleines look something like this … only a bit greener. 🙂

    http://a-boleyn.livejournal.com/88981.html

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      I will definitely check these out my friend, I am sorry that the matcha had to be a litte wasted!
      And who could resist madeleines 😀
      Thanks for the links!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  56. kitchenriffs says:

    Cool recipe! Grilled bananas are great, but I’ve never made banana boats and served them for dessert. Really like the idea – I’ll have to try it. And maybe work on a grilled banana split!

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  57. Mary says:

    First, let me congratulate you on those well-deserved awards. Your banana boat brownies are a perfect example of why you received them. I hope those exams are all out of your way and you can enjoy the summer. Have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary

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  60. Balvinder says:

    Good days and bad days come and go , so not to worry too much about them. It was sweet of your mom to surprise you with a lovely cheese cake.
    The best of all is your baked banana boat. I am loving it.

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  63. Food Stories says:

    What a fantastic post. Normally, I’m a pretty positive person but some days happen and your day just goes to pot. But all is well … Thx for having the Brownie Banana Boats on our behalf … I’m positive that I enjoyed it 🙂

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Haha I know, if you want to stop getting a black skin, you can wrap foil but then you won’t know when it is grilled and the brownie may stick slightly to the foil 😛
      Glad you liked it in the end!

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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  65. Becky says:

    Uru,
    I love the grilled banana, with brownie batter which goes great with the ice cream. You are so creative. Baking or cooking, and sharing with others, can be therapy, I know that it is for me.

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  69. Ramona says:

    I think you banana photography looks great. I can see how gooey and warm the chocolate and banana got… perfect with the ice cream!! Hope your nose piercing is okay….

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  70. Joanne says:

    I know what you mean about letting one little thing ruin your whole day. It’s so silly in the scheme of things but so hard to avoid! These banana boats would certainly make my life brighter!

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  71. navane64 says:

    I suppose being human beings, our emotions can be like a yo-yo. Though we want to focus on the good, there are days when we get drowned on the bad.

    I like the simple recipe with the banana and the cake from your mum.

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  72. Jennie @themessybakerblog says:

    Uru, this recipe sounds like a great way to turn that frown upside down (sorry for the cliche). Who would have thought to fill a banana with fudgy chocolate? You, my brilliant friend. It seriously looks amazing. Congrats on the blog award, and I hope your nose heals.

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  77. mybeautfulthings says:

    Very glad your day came good – and sweet – in the end. Delicious looking recipe that I’ll have to try. I love cooked banana, I love brownie – the combination sounds perfect!
    Hope the rest of your week goes well 🙂

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