Electrolux #splits: Fried Banana Pineapple Split with Jalapeno Rum Caramel Sauce

What do you when you are presented with the opportunity to make a yummy dessert and in doing so it benefits a good cause?! You do it, of course!
To help spread the word and raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Foodbuzz is sponsoring a posting challenge and Top 9 takeover! In this Top 9 Takeover, Foodbuzz asks all Featured Publishers to construct a post around a theme. The theme for this challenge is to create your own version of a banana split and it goes toward a great cause!
Check out this link to help raise money for Ovarian Cancer Research:
So, since I am a young, unmarried woman with no children, I decided to make a banana split with a tropical, spicy and adult spin on it.
I present, Fried Banana Pineapple Split with Jalapeno Rum Caramel Sauce.

Fried Banana Pineapple Split with Jalapeno Rum Caramel Sauce
Ingredients:
1 Banana
2 scoops of Good quality vanilla ice cream
1 jalapeno
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup of water
1/3 cup heavy cream
Handful of walnuts
2 lengthwise pieces of fresh pineapple (about 2 inches thick)
3 TBS. of unsalted butter (divided equally among the ingredients required for it)
Sprig of fresh mint
1/4 cup dark rum (not spiced)
Salt

Whip Cream
Ingredients:
1 cup Heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup Powdered sugar


Directions:
First, Place the banana into the refrigerator until ready to use. This will make it easier to cut the banana when ready to use.
Then, make the whip cream. Making it beforehand will cause it to be nice and cool when ready to serve the dish. In a mixer, pour the whip cream and whip at a very fast speed. Continue until the cream becomes an airy texture. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, until fully mixed. Once the consistency is light and airy, place in a bowl and put in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Next, slice and core the jalapeno. Remove the seeds and use only the green part of the pepper. Dice the pepper finely and set aside. For the pineapple, peel, cut and core. Cut the pineapple length wise, about 2 inches thick. Leave the pineapple like this, because it is easier to fry.

In a medium-pot mix together the brown sugar and water and let simmer for about 7 minutes. Stir frequently for about 3 minutes. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the tablespoon of butter. Stir quickly. Slowly add in the cream, while stirring quickly. Let simmer a few more minutes. Add in the jalapeno and rum. Let simmer a few more minutes, while occasionally stirring. While simmering, bring out the banana and cut it lengthwise. Then, cut the two halves into two smaller halves. You should have 4 pieces of bananas. Place them into the caramel sauce and let soak for a few minutes. Once the bananas are done soaking, turn the caramel sauce down to the lowest heat and make sure to occasionally stir it throughout the cooking process.

Meanwhile, bring a small pan to medium-high heat with 1 Tbs. of unsalted butter. Once hot, pull the banana from the caramel sauce and place it into the hot pan. Fry the banana for a few minutes on each side. Once the caramel has hardened onto the banana and is a nice deep golden brown color, remove the bananas from the pan and set aside on a plate.

Into the same pan used for the banana, we are going to fry the pineapple. If necessary, add a little more butter into the pan. Cook the pineapple on each side for about 4 minutes, on medium-high heat. Once the pineapple is a nice golden brown, remove from the pan and set aside on the same plate with the banana.

The caramel should be a nice consistency at this point. Next, quickly toast the walnuts. In a small pan, bring it to a high heat and place the walnuts in. The walnuts will toast in just a few minutes. Make sure to keep your eye on them so they do not burn. Once they are a nice brown color, remove from heat and set aside.

Now, we are ready to plate! Place the caramelized bananas on the bottom, with 2 scoops of good quality ice cream on top. Top the ice cream with the fried pineapple, then drizzle with the Jalapeno Rum Caramel Sauce and finish off with the fresh whip cream (in the fridge) and the toasted walnuts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, if desired.


This flavor combination is incredible! You can taste the spicy jalapeno, but it is in no way overwhelming. The flavor of the caramelized banana in the Jalapeno Rum Sauce, with the fried pineapple and ice cream is a taste of heaven. Topped off with the remainder of the Jalapeno Rum Caramel Sauce, fresh whip cream and toasted walnuts, finishes the dish off perfectly. Trust me, you will not be disappointed :)