Brussels Challenge #8: Exploring Local Ingredients - Chocolate Part Trois

Cooking with local ingredients can be a challenge, especially when what’s local is not a palate favorite. Fortunately for me, one of my current local ingredients just happens to be extremely palatable, comes in a variety of flavors and forms, and is available on just about every corner…perhaps the ideal local ingredient…Belgian Chocolate. Let me show you how easy cooking with local ingredients can be. J

Brussels Menu: Pâte brisée à la banane et chocolat

In my English-speaking attempt to buy certain ingredients in a French market, I’m bound to run into some problems…pointing, nodding, and smiling are often my methods of choice.  However, I occasionally come home with an ingredient I thought was something else.  Case-and-point: Pâte brisée.  My goal was to buy the flaky phyllo dough (i.e., think spanakopita and baklava)…however, what I bought was something called pâte brisée. Pâte brisée is the classic French pie or tart pastry.   This easy-to-work-with, flaky, and buttery mistake turned into a delicious dessert when coupled with nutella and bananas.  Here’s to more mistakes!

51...Frozen: 51 Porter Does Ice Cream

ICE CREAM?! Doesn't that require all sorts of fancy equipment and heavy ingredients? NOPE!

This recipe requires only one ingredient, but it has tremendous potential to transform something ordinary into a heavenly delectable we like to call 51...Frozen.

Chocolate Banana Pavolova

The flavor combinations for this light dessert are endless.  Pile the crisp meringues high with fluffy chocolate pudding and stir in sliced bananas.  A dollop of warm nutella adds the perfect sweet flourish.

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich: A 51 Porter Simple Pleasure

I stumbled across this amazing sandwich way back during my sophomore year of undergrad. GO BEARS! I had fallen in love with "banana wraps", which were these amazing little burritos available on campus. Peanut butter, sliced banana, granola, honey, and raisins were tucked away in a tortilla, and the mmmmm-gasms that they delivered were noteworthy. After my endless raving, my roommate at the time suggested that I create a sandwich: peanut butter and banana with honey. The rest is history, as this sandwich has delighted me day in and day out for nearly five years. Please see below for the fine, time-tested technique of creating this delicious and simple sandwich.

Nutella Banana Pockets

Another experiment...turned into a great success...and dessert!