Grilled Banana Split

"The Culinary Institute of America Grilling"

Chose firm-ripe bananas for this dish. The heat of the grill will intensify the bananas' natural sweetness. Fully ripe and soft bananas won't hold up to the intense heat of the grill

Ingredients:

6 bananas, peeled and cut in half

2 Tbsp. melted butter

3 cups ice cream: French vanilla, dark or white chocolate, cherry vanilla and/or praline ice cream.

2 cups sauce: chocolate, cherry and or butterscotch

1/2 cup coarsely toasted almonds

1 cup whipped cream

6 brandied or maraschino cherries

Directions:

Preheat a gas grill to low. If you are using a charcoal grill, build a fire and let it burn down until the coals have a heavy coating of white ash. Spread the coals in an even bed. Clean the cooking grate.

Brush the bananas with the melted butter and place on the grill. Grill the bananas until lightly marked on the first side, about 1 minute. Turn the bananas carefully and grill on the second side until lightly marked and hot, 1 minute more.

Place 2 banana halves on each serving plate. Top each serving with 3 small scoops of ice cream and spoon the sauce over the ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream, toasted almonds and cherries.