Banana and Chocolate Spring Rolls

Updated February 23, 2016

Chef

Cookbook

The Asian Bistro Cookbook

Published by Robert Rose

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This image courtesy of Mark T. Shapiro

This dessert is inspired by a snack sold from street stalls everywhere in the Philippines. It is a simple dish that goes very well with ice cream, particularly vanilla or caramel. Small bananas (sometimes mistakenly sold as “baby bananas”), regular large bananas or red ones, are all good here. Use the large-size, commercially produced spring or egg roll wrappers. You can substitute the more readily available 5-inch (12 cm) square egg roll wrappers; with a rolling pin, roll them as thin as possible and proceed with recipe.

Serves4

Cooking Methodfrying

CostModerate

Total Timeunder 15 minutes

Kid FriendlyYes

OccasionCasual Dinner Party, Family Get-together

Recipe Coursedessert

Dietary Considerationegg-free, peanut free, soy free, vegetarian

Equipmentwok

Five Ingredients or LessYes

Mealdinner

Moodfestive

Taste and Texturechocolatey, crisp, fruity, sweet

Type of Dishdessert

Ingredients

4 large spring or egg roll wrappers (approximately 9 inches [22.5 cm] square)
4 small or 2 large bananas, cut in half crosswise
½ cup (125 ml) grated semi-sweet chocolate
2 tbsp (25 ml) crystallized ginger cut into thin slivers (optional)
1 tsp (5 ml) cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp (5 ml) water
2 cups (500 ml) vegetable oil
2 tsp (10 ml) icing sugar

Instructions

Lay the spring roll wrapper flat with one corner facing you; put banana across bottom third and sprinkle with one-quarter of the chocolate and ginger if desired. Roll up, tightly tucking in the sides, and seal with the cornstarch mixture (make sure there are no leaks in the wrapping). Repeat for each banana.
In wok or deep saucepan, heat oil to 350° F (180° C). Cook spring rolls until golden and crispy, turning once, about 90 seconds. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm or at room temperature, sprinkled with sifted icing sugar. Serve alone or with ice cream, whipped cream, or coconut custard cream .
Variation:
Try adding ½ cup (125 ml) chopped nuts or 1 ½ tbsp (20 ml) toasted sesame seeds.