Tom Parker Bowles recently shared a charming story about a beloved dessert from the Royal Family and how it came to be. The 51-year-old food writer recounted an amusing moment at Clarence House involving the late Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother, centered around a sudden dessert dilemma.
The incident occurred when the royal chef, Alma McKee, served a splendid meat course but realized she had forgotten to prepare a pudding. In a moment of quick thinking, she spotted some bananas and improvised a dessert, which later became famously enjoyed by the royals.
In his book, Cooking & The Crown, Tom describes the scene: “The meat course had gone up, when she suddenly realized there was no pudding. I can remember there was a certain amount of panic about what to do next. Save, that is, for a few bananas.”
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The resulting dish, named Bananes au Caramel, is delightfully simple and requires just a handful of ingredients. Here’s how to make it:
- Slice the bananas and sprinkle about two tablespoons of caster sugar over them.
- Gently sauté the bananas in butter over medium heat until they caramelize to a golden brown.
- Allow the bananas to rest for approximately 60 seconds before adding around 100ml of double cream.
- For an elegant touch, serve the caramelized bananas in sundae glasses and chill in the refrigerator.
- Optionally, prepare a caramel drizzle by breaking hardened syrup into shards, sprinkle over the dessert, and serve immediately.
Beyond its luscious flavor, bananas are prized for their nutritional benefits. They are a rich source of potassium, a mineral linked to lowering blood pressure—a major factor for heart health. With over four million adults in England facing undiagnosed hypertension, incorporating potassium-rich foods like bananas can be beneficial.
Health experts note that “bananas provide about 10% of the daily recommended intake of potassium per medium fruit.” Furthermore, a 2017 study involving mice suggested that potassium intake may reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 27%. Bananas also supply 8% of the daily value for magnesium, another mineral critical for cardiovascular wellbeing.
Tom Parker Bowles’ book Cooking & The Crown includes over 100 recipes spanning the reigns of monarchs from Queen Victoria to King Charles III. The collection features both lavish royal dishes, such as Pommes Elizabeth and Pudding au Pain et aux Cerises, as well as simple yet elegant recipes perfect for home cooks seeking a touch of regal flair.