Flameful confession….
So I finally realized why firefighters get laid so often…including the non-attractive ones.
So besides the quality high school kids, my gym seems to be the home of our local firemen. I see them working out their often, usually in the weight room. Usually it is the younger, more in shape guys as well. Nice eye candy and all but, and here is where it is a flameful confession…firemen don’t do it for me.
I mean, sure, if they were cute to begin with that is another story. But I can’t tell you how many times my friends would be dating a guy that I thought, ugh, really, only to find out they were dating him because he was a fireman. I just never got it…at all. Until yesterday.
Yesterday I was at the gym plodding along on the elliptical trainer when over at the stairmaster was a guy. He was probably in his mid-thirties going into his forties. He didn’t have the greatest body and I didn’t find him cute in the least. Then out of nowhere he puts on a firefighter mask and full tanks and starts climbing the stairs with it all on.
Suddenly the man I didn’t find attractive in the least became incredibly attractive. There he was practicing going up stairs with his gear on. Practicing rescuing people…possibly me someday. Yes, the light bulb went on and I came to understand how even the ugly firemen get a lot of loving, even from the hot chics. 
So in honour of my new found lust of firemen, I decided to make a dessert that you set on fire. I mean, if I set the kitchen on fire, then one of them might have to show up, right? Though I would much rather not have to met them in that circumstance, I think I will just stare at them at the gym. 
This here is another bread pudding. Ah, bread pudding, how I love you so. What I really like about this recipe is that you add pureed banana to the custard mixture, so you really end up with the banana flavor in every bite. Instead of rum, I added banana liquor…either way I got to light something on fire.
Banana Fosters Bread Pudding
3 eggs
2 egg yolks
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup very ripe bananas, pureed
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
1 large French bread loaf (about 5- 6 cups torn up)
Banana Fosters Sauce (recipe follows)
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl combine eggs and egg yolks, whisking until frothy.
Add in nutmeg, cinnamon, banana puree, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully incorporated.
Add sugars, whisk until incorporated.
Add in cream and again, whisk until incorporated.
Add bread pieces to egg mixture. Mix until bread has absorbed most of the custard mixture.
Pour pudding into a shallow baking pans (you can use a 8-x-8-inch pan if making one large one). Let sit for 30 minutes.
Place bread pudding into a slightly larger pan and add about 1 inch hot water to the larger pan to make a water bath.
Bake uncovered for approximately 1 hour (this is true for both smaller and larger size, the smaller maybe cooks 5-10 minutes less), or until pudding is no longer runny.
Serve warm with Banana Fosters Sauce.
Banana Fosters Sauce
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2 bananas, sliced
3 TBSP banana liqueur
Heat a large skillet over low heat.
Add butter and brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, just until sugar begins to melt into butter.
Add banana slices. Moving the skillet back and forth, cook for 1 minute.
Remove skillet form heat and add liqueur. Return skillet to the stove. Tilt pan to ignite liquor.
After alcohol burns off, add cream. Whisk to make sure it is fully incorporated.
Serve immediately over bread pudding.
Adapted from Taste of the South Feb/Mar 09
71 Responses
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February 17th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Men in uniforms always attract women ;-P…
What an awesome pudding! With that gooey sauce, it is irresistible!
Cheers,
Rosa
February 17th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
This looks delicious! I love Bananas Foster and the idea of adding it to bread pudding.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Peabody,
You always make me laugh. And you always post darn yummy recipes that I want to make. No wonder I love your blog so much!
February 17th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
This looks fabulous and I share your sentiments of how a plain fireman can suddenly become a hottie with his gear on.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
what an interesting pot
I ve never had bread pudding with banana. Sounds yummy 
Perhaps chicks are attracted to fire fighters cause they re ‘hot’ when fire fighting ( cause of the flames) ha ha
February 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
You are hilarious. And this looks really good.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Delicious tribute to all of the hot and not so hot fireman!
February 17th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I’d pick this dessert over a fireman any day!!
Apart from Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the Accidental Husband maybe, cos he’s the hottest “fireman! I’ve EVER seen!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I definitely think the running into the burning building thing is what attracts most women. It’s that whole damsel in distress thing. While I’m all for women’s rights, it’s nice to be “rescued” every once in a while
Beautiful bread pudding by the way! I’ve never been a big fan of bread pudding myself but this looks delicious. And I love the traditional bananas foster!
February 17th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I once dated a fireman, and every time one of my girlfriends would hear that he was a fireman, they would do this little swoon. I didnt get it. He was cute and fun, but I wasnt dating him BECAUSE he was a fireman. That was just an aside. And then one day he stopped by to pick me up, and was still wearing his “turnout gear” from a public school visit, and I swooned. Seriously went weak in the knees. Something about that uniform.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I admit that I have that weird attraction to firemen. It’s the full-gear thing, though. Without the gear, well, eh, not so great, but put on that yellow slicker and pick up a hose–bam, apple of my eye! So, I’m impressed with you: I’m not a banana girl AT ALL, but looking at the pictures of your yummy dessert has convinced me that I need to give the yellow guys a chance (the bananas, not the firemen)!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Mmmm…you had me at “firemen.” Good thinking with the flambe lure…or perhaps the aromas of this fantastic dish alone will be enough to entice one of these brave hunks to come on over!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Your gym stories are always rather hilarious!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Yum! This looks so delicious! And yeah, those men in uniforms… gets me every time!
February 17th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I’m going to have to find a good excuse for making this. Bananas are full of potassium right? And bread is a grain. Cream is a dairy product, sugar is a vegetable. They sound practically healthy.
February 17th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
The thought of practicing saving me is enough to send me swooning!
February 17th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Ok seriously… you must have ESPN or something! (wink wink) Just yesterday I was searching and searching the intertubes for a Banana Bread Pudding recipe! I have company coming for dinner and I thought it would be a the perfect dessert! THANKS!!!! and the firemen thing… I’m with ya
February 17th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Haha I love your gym stories. Your banana foster is sexier though.
February 17th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I love a man in a uniform that is why I married my Marine in one!!
This recipe as well is so damn hot!!
February 17th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Haha! I loved your story but don’t forget about the fireWOMYN! I would rather have one of them over a man any day. I’m also sure there are firemen who would prefer the attention of other men, instead of women, too.
February 17th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Looking at this delightful dessert makes me put on weight..aahhhh now I get it, you eat these lovely treats so that you HAVE to go to the gym!!! Ha-ha!!!
February 17th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I have two friends who are firefighters and they are both hotties. Plus some of the nicest people around. I think setting your kitchen on fire just to meet a fireman is a bit extreme. Just make this gorgeous dessert and take it over to the firehouse. They’ll love you!
February 17th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
omg that totally cracked me up. We have a fire station at the end of our street and see them often around the neighborhood working out and such. They’re all cute.. no matter what they look like
Great dessert to pay tribute to those ff’s!
February 17th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Seeing my firefighter hubby in his work gear is always a treat… but seeing him in action saving lives & helping the community is what really gets my heart. It takes a very special kind of person (guy or girl) to do the work that they do. I always bake treats for the guys at his station and I’m sure they would love this recipe.
ps. it’s true about the ladies & their fascination with firemen.. They always approach my hubby at the gym. A trainer at his gym actually thanked him for helping to get some new memberships from some girls who were getting a tour while he was there! I was thinking of getting him an “I’m married” tshirt just to keep them at bay hahaha
February 17th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I think Lynn’s got it: take it to the fire house, they’ll be friends for life!
That is really gorgeous bread pudding.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Mmm… Yummy firefighters…er, I mean bread pudding!
Once, I was shopping at the market, and TWO uniformed firefighters started talking to me about mangoes or something (TWO of them, eeeeeee!!). Once I realized they were firemen, not cops, and that I wasn’t being arrested for something, I was so twitterpated by their uniforms that I could barely remember my name. Sad, but true.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
True story. I was married to a guy who was an accountant. When I decided it was not meant to be, he had an early life crisis (at age 27) and decided to become a firefighter. Why? To save people? No, to get laid. And to work 2 days a week. And to be in the annual calendar. I know most of those guys are awesome but I can tell you not all of them are!
February 18th, 2009 at 1:53 am
You are a nut! When I was working in apheresis, I had about 8 firemen come in regularly to donate platelets. Undoubtedly, the nicest, kindest and funniest donors. We all perked up when they were around. I could never talk them into wearing their kit when they came to donate…such a shame! But they were real life heroes. It was a pleasure to get to know them. Respect to them.
Your flambe looks hot, too!
February 18th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Oh my goodness that looks delicious! Adding this one to my list of desserts to make.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:40 am
The bread pudding is gorgeous. And I just want to know : do you have the calendar?
February 18th, 2009 at 6:45 am
The only thing that would be better then a picture of your bread pudding would be a picture of a HOT fireman!
February 18th, 2009 at 6:53 am
This looks amazing – I LOVE bananas foster, and have been trying to come up with a BF cupcake recipe recently.. this is only helping the fuel the fire!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:01 am
it takes a special kind of bread pudding to satisfy me, and this is that. delightful creation!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I love your stories…and I love your recipes even more! YUM! This looks divine!
February 18th, 2009 at 8:39 am
love that opening line…classic
February 18th, 2009 at 10:47 am
There’s something so boyscout-y about firemen. Every one I’ve known has been the nicest, sweetest guy!
February 18th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Okay! I walked into a lust-filled estrogen-fest
Maybe I should be a fireman?
“Don’t light that puddin yet, ma’am! Make sure you have a working extinguisher nearby!”
Yeah, I think that will earn me more ire
February 18th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Dessert looks great. Maybe next time sneak your camera to the gym..ok?
February 18th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I never understood that or the policeman. I mean I get it but I guess I need the experience you had. Well this looks amazing and I’m on a bread pudding kick so I will have to give this a shot.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Welcome to the firefighter-lovin’ club!
The dessert looks yummy too! HA!
February 18th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I agree with everyone else…put a man in a uniform and something happens. Of course I feel that way about men in tuxes too.
February 18th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
After all the amazing fire fighting stories that have come out of the Victorian bushfires here in Oz, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of such bravery – no wonder we admire them!
A lovely tribute to all the firemen!
February 18th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I love firemen. And anything bananas.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
At first when I saw the blog post title I thought this was about the Calgary Flames … too funny! To be honest, I’m not really into the firemen either. Everyone knows hockey players are where it’s at! Love the bread pudding!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Oh yeah. Fireman’s gear is hot.
It’s a Backdraft thing.
I want those little pots!!!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I’m laughing so hard over here that I can’t even think about that banana foster dessert thingy and that says a lot because banana foster is just about my favorite dessert.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Firemen AND Banana Foster Bread Pudding – YUM!
You got taste, girl!
February 18th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Around here, when our downstairs neighbour’s smoke detector goes off and they’re not home, we’ll call the non-emergency number. They always send out a fire truck. I can’t help but make sure that I have a good viewing position on the stairs.
The pudding looks delicious. Particularly with the sauce on top.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I’m not even a fan of bread pudding but that looks pretty awesome!
And I’m not gonna lie… firefighters are pretty hot.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Yeah, when they are doing the fundraiser for fireman scholarships weekend after next, one or two of the guys will appear to be ‘auctioned off’ and usually is clad in just the turnout gear pants and suspenders. Gets some ladies going I guess.
Bread pudding…always the best…like the bannana version Peabody!
February 19th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Oooooh — that bread pudding sounds so delicious — as delicious and a big, heroic fireman in his gear!
February 19th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I think I’ve put on five pounds just looking at these photos. Luscious!
February 19th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
oh wow, this looks amazing!
February 20th, 2009 at 1:20 am
[...] Banana Fosters Bread Pudding ~ Culinary Concoctions by Peabody [...]
February 20th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Hi
Hope you don’t mind , me linking to your blog. Your blog is super and your photos amazing.
February 20th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Pea, you crack me up! I don’t see what the fuss is all about either, but now I’ll pay more attention…
What a delicious dessert – my dad loves bananas this way.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I went out with a fireman once. He wasn’t the best looking guy, but he was hot in his own way. Then he became a butthole and basically dumped me to go out with someone else. Even so, I still like to tell people I once dated a fireman. LOL
February 21st, 2009 at 4:57 am
Speechless really! That looks so amazing!!
February 21st, 2009 at 7:49 am
I love, love, love your perspective!! So cool. Adored the recipe – I’ve never, ever cared for bread pudding per se, because I hate wet, gooey things. But your recipe makes it gooey in a good way! Like yummy, rich, sweet and gooey!! Maybe it’s cuz I love bananas and Bananas Foster. Your gym story was so cute, but I don’t know what to do with it!! All my life all my friends adored firemen and I just didn’t know what all the fuss was about. Now, my youngest son is a firefighter/paramedic – and granted, every time I see him in his uniform or turnouts, my heart just wants to burst. But I think that’s pride. I’ll be watching for more of your great posts!
February 21st, 2009 at 11:32 am
Great idea for a bread pudding! It looks amazing!
February 21st, 2009 at 1:57 pm
It is most definitely the uniform. I don’t know what it is about the uniform.
Holy Crap! That banana bread pudding looks AMAZING!!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
That looks amazing and I can’t wait to make it for my Beau who is in love with bananas foster. One question, based on the recipe it looks like it would serve 4-6 but the pictures look more like 2-4, how many would you say it serves?
February 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
OMG, I wanna marry you and have a job so you can spend any time you want in the kitchen baking.
Thank you for posting such amazing looking tasty things AND the recipes! Yet another one bookmarked.
February 24th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Peabody, it’s posts like this one that keep me coming back for more!
February 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Bananas foster! I haven’t had this dessert in forever – I had forgotten how much I liked it. Thanks for the bread pudding recipe.
February 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
you just combined two of my favorite desserts! i am sharing this one w/my mom, who will love this!!
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
[...] Adapted from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody [...]
March 7th, 2009 at 3:07 am
HI Girls..er…Ladies? Am I the only guy here hunting for recipes? I’m not a fireman but I know how to put them out!! Maybe I’ll rent a “Kit” and check back here for”interview..s”!
Great looking recipe too!
You’d ALL be taking a quick hike if I weren’t a 72 year old near has-been…;-)
March 11th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
What a delicious sounding take on a bread pudding.
I married an army man so I completely understand the uniform thing. One of my best holiday stories is about the time we stayed at Hooters Hotel and Casino in Vegas (my choice because it was offering a great deal – don’t blame my husband) and imagine my delight when I discovered there was a Fireman’s Softball tournament in town that week and LOTS of them were staying at Hooters.
Now how hot is a a hot tub full of buff firefighters!
March 18th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
[...] Barefoot Contessa’s banana sour cream pancakes, Chelle’s bananas foster bread pudding (originally by Peabody),  Joelen’s banana pecan biscotti, or something Scott had come up with (I can’t [...]
March 28th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Made this yesterday for my boyfriend…who happens to be a fireman lol. We LOVED it! So good, will definitely make it again. Love your great stories and unique recipes