Cartola with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas 2 ripe bananas
• 4 slices of queijo coalho (or mild cheddar/mozzarella) 4 slices of queijo coalho (or mild cheddar/mozzarella)
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) water 1/4 cup (60ml) water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 40g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Slice the bananas into thin rounds.
2. 2.
   In a deep skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Fry the banana slices until golden and caramelized, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and drain on a paper towel.
4. 4.
   In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Remove the caramel sauce from heat and stir in the ground cinnamon.
6. 6.
   To assemble the Cartola, layer the fried banana slices with the cheese slices on a serving plate.
7. 7.
   Drizzle the warm cinnamon caramel sauce over the bananas and cheese.
8. 8.
   Serve the Cartola with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bananas — Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture. They should be yellow with some brown spots.
• Queijo coalho — If you can't find queijo coalho, you can substitute it with a mild cheddar or mozzarella. The cheese should be firm and slightly salty.

Tips & Tricks

• Make sure the caramel sauce doesn't burn by keeping an eye on it while it cooks.
• Serve the Cartola immediately after assembling to enjoy the contrast between warm and cold elements.
• Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination.

Serving advice

Serve the Cartola warm, with the cheese slightly melted and the caramel sauce drizzled over the top. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamy and refreshing touch.

Presentation advice

Arrange the fried banana slices and cheese in an attractive pattern on the plate. Drizzle the caramel sauce in a decorative manner and place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for an extra touch of elegance.