Bananas Foster and Apology Preserves

Last night I went to a cookout at Colin's place, made the usual round of hotdogs and burgers after multiple attempts to light the grill (cooking oil, alcohol, paper...) which were delicious. What was not so delicious was the Banana's Foster I made for Colin and Rachel. I burned the first batch, and almost burned the second batch, which came out in a manner that I can only describe as "chunky". I've made this recipe too many times for silly mistakes.  So much shame. Five ingredients. Shaaaammmmmmeee!

Note: My mother learned the recipe in New Orleans from the inventor of the recipe, this is the purest version out there. 

Banana's Foster

For 2

cinnamon

1/4stick of butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

4 bananas

1/2 cup Bacardi 151 rum (other golden rums will do, but this is the best)

Vanilla ice cream

In a large skillet, dash in a generous amount of cinnamon on medium high heat. When you can smell the cinnamon (you'll know, trust me), add the butter. After the butter has melted, add the brown sugar, and stir until the granules have dissolved. The sauce will start to turn into candy or burn  if you don't watch it carefully. Add the bananas, and stir to coat them in the sauce. Add the rum to the mixture and, using a long handled match or lighter, add flame to the pan to burn off the alcohol and caramelize the sugar. I have lit two people on fire during this process, friends don't let friends light for them. Remove from heat, and spoon the mixture over vanilla ice cream. Yay bananas!

To save culinary face, I am presenting my patient, wonderful friends with a jar of Apology Preserves. This may not be as good as Suck-Up Brownies or Boot-Licking Cake (use only in emergencies), but it does in a pinch. 

Apology Preserves

3 pints of strawberries- washed and hulled

2 cups of sugar

Place the hulled berries in a wide, deep pan, and mash into smaller pieces (not too small, chunks are fine). Cook on high for 10 minutes until it thickens, stirring frequently. Turn down the heat, add sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Turn the heat to high again and cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, place in decorative jars for the appropriate groveling appearance, and that's it. You've saved face!