Sauteed, Roasted, or Broiled Bananas

A fast and easy dessert or side dish—serve with pork chops and roasts or grilled fish—and one for which you will almost always have the ingredients on hand. Other vegetables you can use: ripe plantains.

4 bananas, ripe but not too soft

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste (optional)

Freshly squeezed lemon juice

To saute:
• Put the butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter is melted, add the banana pieces and cook until golden and beginning to brown on both sides, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the sugar if you’re using it and cook for another minute. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the top just before serving.
  To roast:
  • Heat the oven to 400 F. Put the bananas in a roasting pan, dot with the butter, and sprinkle with the sugar if you’re using it. Cook the bananas until they are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the top just before serving.
    To broil:
    • Heat a broiler and put the rack 4 to 6 inches from the heat source. Put the bananas on a baking sheet, dot with the butter, and sprinkle with the sugar if you’re using it. Cook the bananas until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes; watch them carefully. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the top just before serving.
  • MAKES: 4 servings
  • TIME: 15 minutes