Desserts And Good Food

        The sweet and creaminess of the bananas, contrasting with the spicy and crunchy outside of these fritters, going to be a hit in your next family gathering. Serve warm with vanilla caram el sauce to add another layer of flavor to this simple dessert. Ingredients: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon table salt 1/2 teaspoon ginger pinch of nutmeg The zest of 1 large lemon 1/2 cup room temperature water 3 bananas yellow and firm, peeled and cut into 1-inch lengths  1 cup Panko breadcrumbs Vegetable oil for deep-frying Vanilla caramel sauce Confectioners' sugar, for dusting  Heat the oil to 350°degrees   Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, lemon zest, nutmeg and, ginger in a mixing bowl.  Whisk in water until smooth batter form.  Place bananas into the batter, coating lightly. Roll in the   breadcrumbs.  Deep-fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Dust with confectioner sugar.

    Traditionally made for Christmas, we enjoy this flavorful rice whenever we have an excuse. This rice is typically made with sofrito, the most important ingredient in the Puerto Rican Kitchen. Since having left my country many years ago I always look for ways to bring Puerto Rican flavor to my table. If you are not able to find the ingredients for sofrito you can still enjoy this flavorful rice. The ingredients for the sofrito in this version are very easy to find at your local supermarket. Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 pound pork meat, large cubes For the sofrito: 1/2 cup onion, small dice 1 red bell pepper, small dice 1/4 cup green pepper, small dice 1/4 cup celery, small dice 1/4 cup carrots, small dice 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped   1 large clove of garlic, minced 1-12 oz. can unsalted tomato sauce 1/3 cup green olives 1-16 ounces can pigeon peas, drain    2 cups long grain rice 3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth salt and pepper to ta