Brazilian Sweet Banana and Rice Dish

This is a Brazilian dish that has an odd ingredient, bananas. The bananas are almost a dessert on their own but are eaten along with rice in a dish that can be varied to one's taste.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 932 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon rum
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 7 cups water
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained
• 2 pinches dried basil
• 2 cups lemon juice
• 6 ripe bananas, halved lengthwise
• 3 ½ cups brown rice
• 2 (4 ounce) links sausage
• 2 pinches dried dill

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Combine lemon juice, sugar, butter, and rum in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.

Step 3

Arrange bananas cut-side down in the baking dish. Pour enough sauce over bananas to cover, reserving any extra sauce for serving.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until bananas are soft and sticky, about 30 minutes.

Step 5

Bring water and brown rice to a boil in another saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.

Step 6

Combine black beans and diced tomatoes in a skillet over low heat; heat until warmed through, about 10 minutes.

Step 7

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage links; cook, flipping often, until no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Slice sausage into small pieces.

Step 8

Scoop rice into a large bowl. Pour black beans on top. Sprinkle dill and basil on top. Add sausage; mix gently to combine. Serve bananas alongside.