choco-bananos

my first recipe on here is going to be one that doesn't really have a "recipe" so I shall make one

after work yesterday i went to superstore and bought a few bundles of bananas
some chocolate from the bulkbin
and some bamboo skewers
and set out to make...

CHOCO BANANOS
ok, that's what we called them in guatemala, but really they are frozen chocolate covered bananas on a stick, doesn't choco-bananos sound so much more exotic though?

i lived in guate (once you've been to guatemala, and fall in love with it - which you would if you went there - you affectionately refer to it as guate) for 3 1/2 months as part of the school of discipleship program (cmu) and i have loved it ever since. sometimes i allow my mind to drift back there. to the sounds & smells. the feel of the hot sun & the cool evenings. the beautiful sound of spanish conversations. the packed chicken buses. the pollo campero and sandia. the liquado shop, and the wonderful lady that made and sold choco-bananos from her small home.
she sold them for 25 centavos and they were so delicious. i think we got them every day after language school. they were perfectly cold and chocolately. the ultimate treat.

rocky mountain chocolate factory also makes choco-bananos, although they are much more elaborate than the ones the wonderful guatemalan lady made. michael always laughs at me as i attempt to eat them at baseball games, with chocolate falling everywhere. so, i will bring a little bit of guate to my kitchen, and to you, by making my own batch of choco-bananos

ingredients & supplies needed:
3 bananas
2 cups bakers chocolate or chocolate chips (choose your sweetness: semi-sweet, milk chocolate, white or even butterscotch if you're feeling adventurous)
1 tablespoon margarine
strong skewers
wax paper
1/2 cup bakers chocolate (a different kind than used earlier)
1/2 tsp margarine

peel the banana completely and break in half
insert a skewer into the banana, about 3/4 of the way
place in a freezable container, lined with wax paper
freeze for 1 hour, or over night

melt chocolate (2 cups) and margarine (1 tbsp) in a pot over low heat, stirring constantly, and being careful not to let it burn. (the amount of chocolate can be adjusted based on how many bananas you decide to use) remove from heat once melted completely
take frozen bananas out of freezer and dip in melted chocolate one at a time, placing on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper after dipped
repeat with remaining bananas
melt the second type of chocolate with the margarine. once melted, remove from heat and use a spoon to drizzle over the bananas

put bananas into freezer again for at least 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to really harden. eat frozen like a popsicle at your leisure :)

*bananas can also be sprinkled with nuts, sprinkles, cookie crumbs or any other item of your choice immediately after being dipped in chocolate to mix it up!

getting my supplies together 

ready for the freezer 

the chocolate hardens very nicely on the bananas when they are frozen 

dipped & drizzled. into the freezer, then time to eat! 

left over chocolate used to make chocolate covered oreos for an extra treat