Bananas Foster

Bananas Foster is an iconic dessert created in New Orleans in 1951. It consists of bananas sautéed in a combination of rum, brown sugar, banana liqueur, butter, and spices. When the bananas are slightly tender and begin to brown, cooks set the alcohol on fire with the famous flambé technique. Bananas are usually served with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. Because the process is so visually attractive, the dessert is often prepared alongside tables in most restaurants. It was invented by Paul Blangé, a chef from the New Orleans restaurant called Brennan's. He named it in honor of Stephen Foster, a local businessman who used to frequent the restaurant. Since 1951, bananas Foster rose in popularity, and it is still one of the most popular items on Brennan's menu.