Description
Enjoy a delightful Filipino dessert with this recipe for Plantain Bananas in Syrup, featuring sweet saba bananas simmered in a rich brown sugar syrup, enhanced with vanilla and a touch of salt, and served with chewy tapioca pearls and optional evaporated milk for creaminess. Perfect as a comforting sweet treat, this dish offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Bananas
- 6 pieces plantain banana (Saging na Saba), cut each into 3 diagonal parts
Syrup
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1.5 cups water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 0.25 teaspoon salt (optional)
Additional
- 1 cup cooked tapioca pearls (sago)
- 1 can evaporated milk (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Water: In a saucepan, bring 1.5 cups of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat to prepare the base for the syrup.
- Dissolve Sugar and Salt: Add 1 cup of brown sugar and 0.25 teaspoon of salt (if using) to the boiling water, stirring continuously until the sugar completely dissolves, forming a smooth syrup.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Pour in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (if using) to enhance the syrup’s flavor. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and allow it to simmer gently for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Cook Plantains: Add the cut plantain bananas to the simmering syrup, cover the saucepan, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes, allowing the bananas to soften and absorb the syrup’s sweetness.
- Incorporate Tapioca Pearls: Gently fold in 1 cup of cooked tapioca pearls to add a chewy texture to the dish. Stir carefully to avoid breaking the bananas.
- Serve: Remove the saucepan from heat. Spoon the plantain bananas and syrup into serving bowls. Add ice cubes or crushed ice to chill the dessert and pour a splash of evaporated milk over the top if desired, providing a creamy finish.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm saba bananas for the best texture and sweetness.
- Adjust the amount of brown sugar to taste if you prefer a less sweet syrup.
- The evaporated milk is optional but adds a delicious creamy richness to the dessert.
- Cook the tapioca pearls according to package instructions before adding.
- Serve the dessert chilled for a refreshing treat, especially in warm weather.
