In the early 1950s New Orleans was the major port of entry for bananas shipped from Central and South America. Owen Brennan, owner of Brennan's Restaurant, challenged his chef, Paul Blangé and his sister Ella, to include bananas in a new dessert. It was Owen's way of promoting the imported fruit.

And so was born the spectacle of Bananas Foster, a decadent dessert named for Owen's friend, Richard Foster, a local civic and business leader. Bananas are sautéed in butter and sugar and cinnamon and then bathed in rum, which is set aflame in a fiery burst. The fire burns off the alcohol in the rum, leaving just a smoky taste and rum flavor. This delicious concoction is usually created tableside to impress and then served over vanilla ice cream.

Today, Bananas Foster is served at Brennan's and other fine New Orleans restaurants. Each year, Brennan's flames 35,000 pounds of bananas for the famous dessert.

It’s delightfully simple to make at home.

(1) Banana liquor is important for the authenticity of the recipe, but Bananas Foster will be just as delicious with rum.

1. Peel the 4 bananas; cut in half, lengthwise, then halved.
2. Combine the butter, sugar and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet. Place the pan over low heat on top of the stove, and cook, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan.
4. When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum.
5. Then tip the pan slightly and ignite the rum.
6. When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream.
7. Generously spoon warm sauce over the top of the ice cream and serve immediately.