Recipes Inspired by Musicals: Frozen

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Frozen is the Disney movie that charmed everyone who saw it. It’s a story of sisterly love, and if you have a daughter under the age of ten, I’m guessing she wants to be either Anna or Elsa – maybe both. Frozen is officially the highest-grossing animated movie of all time, and the soundtrack is the best-selling album of the year. It features some of the most delightful non-human characters (Sven the reindeer! Olaf the snowman! Rock trolls!) ever to populate a movie screen. And it inspired the most engaging lip sync I’ve ever seen, that to date has tallied over 17.5 million views. I may be responsible for a few of those.

I’ve seen this movie twice, under very different circumstances.

My youngest daughter and I saw Frozen in the theatres shortly after it opened. The timing was appropriate – it was in January of one of the coldest winters we’ve had in years. We stepped from the cold of Toronto into the chill of Frozen’s Arendelle and didn’t miss a beat. Kristoff the ice-man would have felt right at home.

The second time I saw the movie was in the middle of July. When the girls came home from their camp jobs for a weekend off, my oldest daughter said one of her campers sang “Let It Go” at closing campfire. Right before her performance the camper got nervous, and my daughter promised to sing it with her, even though she didn’t know the words. She faked her way through, singing the chorus and improvising the rest with her version of interpretive dance. But she was determined to watch the movie before she returned for session 2. And that’s why she and I watched Frozen on a day more suited to Body Heat. We needed to use our imaginations during “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, but we appreciated the hour-and-a-half respite from the heat.


Clearly, today’s recipe had to be something frozen, and so delightful that it makes you smile. Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Bananas take less than ten minutes to prepare, can be made in advance, and can even be considered quasi-healthy since they’re 90% fruit. Making them could be that “act of true love” that would thaw the frozen heart of anyone you know.

Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Bananas
(inspired by Sugar Hero)

Ingredients:

3 large ripe bananas
200 grams good quality chocolate (semi-sweet, milk or dark chocolate), coarsely chopped
Assorted toppings: toffee bits, chopped pistachios, chopped pecans, flaked sweetened coconut, etc.

Directions:

Peel the bananas and cut them in half so you have six banana pieces. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and freeze until firm, about 1 hour. (If you like, you can insert a wooden stick in the end to make it easier to coat with chocolate. Even better, use a plastic knife, which you can then remove after it’s been coated for better presentation.)

Place chopped chocolate in a double boiler, and melt over boiling water. Put the toppings in shallow bowls beside the stove.

When your chocolate is melted and your toppings are ready, remove the bananas from the freezer. Hold one over the bowl of chocolate and use a large spoon to cover the banana section in chocolate. When it’s completely covered, dip it in your choice of topping, moving quickly as the chocolate will start to set as soon as it touches the cold bananas.

Bananas can be served right away or stored in the freezer in an airtight container in the freezer. If you’re refreezing them, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving for best taste and texture.

19 comments:

grace said...

oh, that's a very clever connection, beth. tasty treat, too. :)

Valerie Gamine said...

I must be the only person on the planet who has not watched Frozen (yet!). It's definitely on my to-watch list, as well as these yummy bananas!!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm sadly with Valerie. I really want to see this and keep hoping it'll come on cable. Love the recipe.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

We own the movie, but I haven't had a chance to watch it! I'm sure I could convince Katie to watch it with me :) And you've chosen the perfect treat to accompany it...so I better hurry before winter arrives. Have a wonderful week, Beth!

Catherine said...

Dear Beth, I have not seen this movie though have heard so much about it.
I do like the frozen banana treat to go with the movie though and would say it is quite healthy since the bananas are good for you and so is chocolate!
Blessings, Catherine

Julie said...

I'm one of the other people on the planet that haven't seen the movie either. It's on my list, as soon as I find the time. Those bananas look soooo good!

Marcela said...

oh! This must be sooo good! Btw. I love the musical!:)

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Haha Elsa would be singing an ode to this recipe :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Angie's Recipes said...

These frozen banana treats look wonderful, Beth. I think we have that movie too, have to watch it some time.
Have a wonderful week!
Angie

Joanne said...

Frozen bananas are the perfect Frozen-inspired recipe! It really is such a great movie.

Monica said...

haha - love the overall Frozen theme! We really liked the movie too. We watched it at home and I didn't think my 9-year old son would be a fan but turns out, we all thought it was great. if only we had some frozen banana as a snack while watching! ; )

Tricia Buice said...

What a great frozen treat! We loved the movie too and I don't tell many people this, but my husband and I watched it by ourselves since we don't have kids at home. Fun movie themed treat - they look delicious.

Bonnie said...

I loved the movie. I watched it because one of my children told her mother she was certain it was my favorite movie. I had to see it to assure her she was right. Love frozen bananas....yum!

Katerina said...

We haven't seen frozen yet, but we are planning to do so! This is such an easy but tasty dessert with ingredients one can find in any home!

Kitchen Riffs said...

That's a fun movie! And this is the perfect treat to celebrate it. Great dish, really fun read -- thanks.

Juliana said...

I yet have to see Frozen...like the simplicity of this dessert...my husband will love this since he likes banana and nuts.
Hope you are having a great week Beth :)

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

Good treat for Frozen. I think that this "series" is really fun!

Claudia said...

Frozen is sitting here from Netflix. Cannot believe I haven't seen it yet! The perils of grown children - you miss animation! I love quasi-healthy desserts. Love talking myself into something saying - really - it's fruit. This frozen banana treat works for me. Especially the chocolate.

Simones Kitchen said...

Can you believe me when I say, I have never watched frozen yet? I don't know why as I love movies like that and I think this holiday I'm gonna have to. While enjoying these treats of course!

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