CARNATION RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the base, mix the digestives with the melted butter in a bowl. Spoon the mixture into a 23cm springform cake tin and press firmly over the base with the back of a spoon. Chill in the fridge.
• Heat a frying pan until hot and add a knob of butter and the bananas, frying for 2-3 mins until golden brown. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.
• Arrange the cooled bananas on top of the biscuit base. For the cheesecake, whisk the double cream using an electric whisk until softly whipped. Put the cream cheese and icing sugar in another large bowl and whisk until smooth. Make sure you don't over whisk the mixture as it will loosen and stop the cheesecake achieving a soft-set. Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese, as well as the maple syrup and the dulce de leche.
• Spoon the sweet cream cheese filling into the cake tin, covering the bananas, and use the back of a spoon or palette knife to spread evenly. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hrs (preferably overnight) to set.
• For the topping, whip the cream, put into a piping bag with a medium star-shaped nozzle and set aside. Melt the dulce de leche over a low heat in a small saucepan with a splash of water until it can be drizzled (dulce de leche varies, so you may need to add more water). Place in a second piping bag (or plastic bag) and snip the very end off it, to leave a tiny hole.
• Starting from the edge of the cake, swirl the dulce de leche sauce in a circular motion around the cake. Pipe 10-12 medium-sized swirls of whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake and rest a fresh banana slice on each. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Combine cream, milk and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into cream mixture; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in another heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and cook without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes. Quickly pour caramel into six 3/4-cup ramekins or custard cups. Using oven mitts as aid, immediately tilt each ramekin to coat sides. Set ramekins into 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
• Whisk eggs, egg yolks and 7 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl just until blended. Gradually and gently whisk cream mixture into egg mixture without creating lots of foam. Pour custard through small sieve into prepared ramekins, dividing evenly (mixture will fill ramekins). Pour enough hot water into baking pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins.
• Bake until centers of flans are gently set, about 40 minutes. Transfer flans to rack and cool. Chill until cold, about 2 hours. Cover and chill overnight. (Can be made 2 days ahead.)
• To serve, run small sharp knife around flan to loosen. Turn over onto plate. Shake gently to release flan. Carefully lift off ramekin allowing caramel syrup to run over flan. Repeat with remaining flans and serve.