Today’s post is another installment in our French Toast Madness Tournament AND a stateside adventure. Today’s recipe comes to you from none other than the Big Easy. 
The Crescent City. 
New Orleans, Louisiana! 
You see there are definite perks to being married to a professor and one of them is conference travel. Mike recently attended an industry conference in New Orleans and I was more than happy to tag along as a “conference widow.” Truth be told, I didn’t spend more than a day on my own (with more than enough sightseeing to keep busy). The rest of the time we joined up with my best friend and her boyfriend for a weekend of eating, dancing, jazzing and yes…doing Bourbon Street right (all night long!). No the kids were not with us. 😉 
Did I mention the eating? There was a lot of that – we had research to do after all. I think we tried nearly every New Orleans specialty and dined at some famous and not so famous eateries. There was of course the mandatory stop (okay, maybe two stops) at Cafe du Monde for beignets; Commander’s Palace (at the recommendation of Greg and Katherine – it’s a must!) for an unparalleled dinner including a tur-duck-hen stuffed quail (quite possibly the best dish I’ve ever tasted); Mother’s downtown for Jambalaya, red beans and rice, Oyster Po-Boys and bread pudding, oh my; and for the subject of today’s post, Brennan’s for breakfast. 
Mike and I dined at Brennan’s after a few hours sleep for a seriously decadent breakfast. We started with a Bloody Mary and Mimosa (little hair of the dog folks) which we followed with some fresh French bread and omelets featuring New Orleans sausages – andouille and tasso ham. Then for the piece de resistance…Bananas Foster. But not just any bananas foster…the original bananas foster! Think butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, bananas and rum all caramelized and hot and served over vanilla ice cream – and prepared right in front of you! Oh yeah – ice cream and booze for breakfast! 
Well, we knew this had to come into our French Toast championship. I mean how could it not. So upon returning home and squeezing and hugging our little ones (who didn’t seem to miss us one bit with Nana and Papa spoiling them all weekend), we shared a little taste of Louisiana with them. We found Brennan’s recipe for Bananas Foster online and followed it for the most part. 
We caramelized bananas with all the fixings. You can feel free to ignite the rum for a little flambé action. I’m just not quite that brave, but maybe one of these days I’ll face that fear. Then we prepared some basic French toast and topped it with our Bananas Foster. 
We left the alcohol out of the kids’ version, which they had no trouble gobbling up. Even Miss A who tends to eat the toppings and forego the bread cleaned her plate! It was clearly 4 spoons for both Mr. N and Miss A. 
It’s no surprise that this was 4 spoons for both Mike and I as well. Not only is it delicious, it’s a reminder of a fabulous getaway. That said, Mike does think the Bananas Foster French Toast may have some tough competition in the Championship. I, on the other hand, think this recipe is a one seed. 
So if you’re looking for a totally, over-the-top, decadent French toast and you’re not concerned about calories for the day, then this is a must try. And if you’re feeling so inclined, I won’t tell if you put a scoop of ice cream on top. 😉 We’ll be back next week with another traditional New Orleans specialty which is equally as good, albeit a bit less decadent. 
Print this recipe: Bananas Foster French Toast
Eat, Play, Love 
I have heard so much of New Orleans, I really want to see this city ones. They are suppose to have some excellent food over there, thanks to the colony influences of the past. mhm I haven’t had caramelized bananas in a while. I have to confess I forgot about it’s existence, although my husband loves it.
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New Orleans is on my top “to visit” list! You guys have the best trips, and are always eating deliciously! Looking for another kid to join the crew…? Cause I’m in
😉
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Although I’ve never been to New Orleans, I have a few friends who are crazy about there and visit often. I’d love to eat this Banana Foster French Toast. I was really thrilled to see your delicious photos. I am not much of a drinker so I could do without alcohol, but I’d be as happy as ever. Caramelized bananas are the best. This dish will bring a happy breakfast to the table!
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Lovely family photos!!! Food looks divine!
Thanks for sharing this post, Carmella English
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I’m dying to visit New Orleans!! Thanks for sharing these photos though so I can relive your visit. 😉 That’s a great perk to Mike’s job…glad you got to tag along. Also, there’s no words for this French toast. Holy moly, it looks and sounds divine!
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oh my NO! I just love thee! Did you know we are from there. My husband is from NO and I lived a few hours away! Its the most wonderful place and you did it right with the banana foster pudding. YOU ROCK and made this louisiana girl proud:)
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It was fun reading an “adult only” adventure post this morning.. what a great trip you two had. It’s great to get out on your own now and then, isn’t it. You’re right, the kids really have fun with the grandparents as well. I love bananas foster, this Christmas holiday it would be such a fun breakfast. My kids are older now, so the rum would stay in! xx
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It was a fabulous time away Smidge. We came home refreshed, full and happy (and a bit tired). I wouldn’t have changed a thing. 🙂
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Thats what I like with my job as well travelling and that equates to eating different dishes from different countries. That bananas foster looks so energy packed, really good for a breakfast!
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It’s definitely a perk of the job. 🙂
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I’m so envious of the fact that you got to try all of the traditional fare from New Orleans, but also the fact that you had a few days away on your own! How amazing is that!. Sounds like a trip full of inspiration and fun Kristy. Hope all of your holiday preparations are coming along nicely. It really is a crazy time of year, isn’t it?
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It was a perfect getaway…and much needed. This time of year is definitely hectic. I did manage to get a jump on some stuff this weekend, but it seems the list is never-ending. 😉
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I think you hit all my favorite spots in New Orleans!! I just went down memory lane in this post! So glad you two got a little away time; I know mother’s worry so about leaving our children but as you said they end up being spoiled and having fun without us…imagine that!! Now this deserves 4 spoons ++ without even a taste! But I’ll be making this soon, it will be great for the holidays when a bit of splurging is just necessary and a bit of booze in the morning is acceptable!!
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Oh, you could say I was a nervous wreck before leaving. I always get worried about the kids. Then once we’re gone I know they’re in good hands and it’s so nice to be away with just Mike. I have no doubt the kids enjoy the break too. 🙂 This would make a great holiday breakfast! No calorie counting that day. 🙂
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And finally we meet the WILD side of Kristy. I knew it was there! c
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Oh, it’s there. 😉
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Sounds like you had a nice trip with your husband. Looks like beautiful weather too! The French toast looks picture perfect, especially the bananas.
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Thanks Lisa! The weather couldn’t have been better!
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What a great opportunity Kristy and Mike – sans kids and making the best of your visit – fabulous! So nice to be able to work in those get-aways on the job ;-). Love all your scenic pics and the angle of the top banana in the photo – very cool shot! Would love to try a bite for dessert… looks very yummo!
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It was a great time Kelly. Definitely made the most of it. We left feeling as though we had done everything we wanted to do – no regrets. That’s the best kind of getaway. 🙂
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How wonderful to have some time in that special city. I haven’t traveled all that much, yet I’ve somehow made my way to New Orleans three times. I’ve eaten at Brennan’s and the food in that wonderful city is just incomparable. Your French toast is indeed a contender! I am thinking maybe Christmas morning? This is a good one! 🙂
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Thanks Debra! I hope you enjoy it if you end up making it. Didn’t you just love Brennan’s? The breakfast was sooooo good! 🙂
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Never been to New Orleans, would love to some day. Ice cream and booze for breakfast, why not, you are in New Orleans.
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Exactly Norma! 🙂
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“Gator on a stick”… wait, what? Is that real gator on a stick?
Lovely photos Kristy… I remember… I think it was Greg’s post, right?, about his trip to New Orleans – although I think you seemed to have better weather than him… t’was a long time ago though, his post – I can’t rightly remember it.
So – *this* is bananas foster? I’ve heard of it… had no idea what it was up to now. Sounds like a fantastic French toast. Can’t help but think a dollop of creme fraiche or whipped cream would be awesome on top, but then I do like adding extra calories for the sake of it sometimes 😀
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Yep – that would be real gator. 😉 We actually have had gator bites in Florida before. If I remember right they were pretty good – just like anything else that’s deep fried. 🙂 The weather was really perfect. It was sunny the entire time and about 70 degrees. No complaints. It made up for the rain in Banff. And whipped cream on top of the bananas foster FT would be fabulous too!
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I’ve done similar type of research in NOLA with Phil before we were married, what a blast we had! Went to Commander’s Palace, to Brennan’s so our research was similar to yours… 😉
I love to flambee stuff! So exciting and magical!
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I’m going to have to get over my fear of fire in the kitchen. It’s so fun to watch someone flambee something. It has to be fun to do yourself too. 🙂
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Sounds like a wonderful getaway!
Nothing like a trip with friends to do food research 🙂
I think the kids would really love the caramelized bananas with icecream ofcourse 🙂
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Exactly Sawsan! Good friends, good food…great memories. 🙂
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Sounds like you had a great time in New Orleans. If your going to be decadent, you might as well top this french toast with ice cream.
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If we had any on hand we definitely would have done it! 😉
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Oh you are so lucky! That’s it, in my next life I am marrying a professor! 😀
I drove down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras when I was 18… my parents thought I was away at school, studying. 🙂 I absolutely looooved New Orleans…had a freakin’ blast. No, I didn’t show the tatas… I came home with zero beads. 🙂 BUT, I had one of the best times of my life.
I make bananas foster quite often… we like ice cream around here, and bananas foster is the best topping. Don’t you think? 🙂
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It is an absolute blast! Mardi Gras would be so fun to be part of! I can’t imagine it now though…just a regular weekend there wore me out. 😉
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Ha, we mentioned each other on the same day. Too funny. Looks like you had a great trip. Those bananas look so awesome I have to remind myself, I don’t even like bananas. Great photos!
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LOL! It was a phenomenal trip. I think I’m still full. 😉
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I absolutely loved New Orleans too, we were there many years ago, well before blogging! Wish I had seen this post back then.
Mind you, we did a couple of great walking tours with the Historical Society, highly recommended.
I loved traveling with my husband in his past job too, such a nice way to travel!
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I completely forgot to ogle your recipe! OMG, decadent is an understatement, Kristy! Of course the kids loved this, wow, who wouldn’t. Would love to have a bite but I’m afraid that’s all I can do, just a little too sweet for me;).
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I did a few walking tours as well Eva – so much fun! One serving was about all I could handle too – it is sweet, and very, very filling. 🙂
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What a great trip away for you and Mike. Must say hot bananas isn’t quite my thing but these do look really lovely over the French toast, so may hav to give it a go.
🙂 Mandy
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It was a great trip Mandy. It’s been on our list of places to go since we first met and it was well-worth the trip. 🙂
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A holiday without the kids!!! Woo Hoo! Great little dessert!
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It was fabulous Bam! 🙂
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Laissez les bons temps rouler!!! Sounds like you really got into the spirit of N’Awlins. Good for you! This Bananas Foster looks so very good, especially serving it atop French toast. I want me some!
You brought back the best kind of souvenirs: recipes that you’ll prepare and enjoy for years to come — as will we. (hint, hint) 🙂
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They are the best kind of memories aren’t they – taste and smell. They can take you back anywhere. 🙂
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How nice that you got to go to New Orleans!!! I have always wanted to go there – it is definitely on my list. I would definitely eat my way through the city. This French toast looks amazing!!!
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It’s absolutely easy to eat your way through the city. It’s amazing! 🙂
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the town is so quaint and your french toast looks homey-ly delicious! just drooling
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Thank you Irene. The architecture there is very quaint and it’s so full of history.
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I haven’t been to NO since the late 80s … and I want to go back SO badly after reading this post. Not being a banana fan though I’m going to have to pass on the dessert.
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I hope you get the chance to go back Maria. There’s nothing like it. 🙂
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