Few foods are as nutritious, delicious and versatile as the banana. It's nature's snack food, complete with a biodegradable wrapper. While bananas are excellent on their own, I find that they're sorely under-represented in the kitchen. There are so many things that amazing fruit can do, but it rarely ever sees heat outside the occasional muffin or pudding. Here are a few less conventional dishes in which the banana is the star.
Banana Salad
Though we often think of bananas as being exclusively sweet in application, the truth is that they can mix with a wide variety of flavors. Combined with fresh greens like spinach and arugula, a light sesame dressing, some walnuts and fresh cracked pepper, banana slices can be a tropical variation on other refreshing salad medallions like cucumber and radish. Sliced thin and patted to wick away extra moisture, the banana coins will have a perfect consistency for a starter.
Fish Garnish
Fruit and fish are a perfect combination. Though citrus is the traditional mate for fish, any soft, mildly sweet fruit can liven up a fresh catch. Served chopped into a taco or sliced lengthwise for a sandwich, the banana will add a smooth accompaniment similar to sour cream, but with a bright, sweet tone.
Cheese Vessel
Though I don't intend to unseat the cracker as the preferred platform for cheese, there's something to be said for the way different fruits can bring out special characteristics in cheese. Apples are common partners to light cheeses traditionally served with white wine, though I think banana slices do wonders for sharp, strong cheese like anything in the blue variety. The fruit holds the typically crumbly cheese in place from the plate and straight into chewing, while the soft consistency and sweetness of the banana balance some of the harsh, salty qualities of the cheese.
Multi-Purpose Shavings
Dried bananas are too often relegated to the "healthy snack" category, especially in chip form. That's all well and good, but why not take advantage of the dried format the way we use coconut? Dried banana, grated or shaved, can be used to garnish desserts, drinks or tropical dishes, serve as dusting for cakes or even find its way into cookies for a powerful banana flavor.
Sauce
One word: Puree. Banana, lightly fried and seasoned, can be pureed to form the base of a sweet, surprising sauce. Augmented with a spot of cognac, fresh herbs and milk, this sauce could do wonders for a boneless chicken breast, a finish for stewed pork or a topping for tempeh patties.