Frank's Grilled Bananas (easy to make and great for the barbeque season)

Ingredients:

• bananas (a little ripe is OK)
• butter
• apricot marmalade ("jam" in the US)
• sugar
• whipped cream
• sliced almonds
• optional: raisins and toasted pine nuts
• chocolate sauce
• aluminum foil

Instructions:

• if the bananas are large (more than 25 cm / 10"), cut them in half
• roast the sliced almonds on a cookie sheet under the broiler in the oven until light brown
• place each banana on a piece of Alu foil, large enough to loosely wrap the banana without actually touching the side & top, and be able to fold over & crimp the edges
• sprinkle sugar over the banana
• put a pad of butter on top of the banana, or right next to it
• spread a generous amount of apricot marmalade over the banana
• as a variation, add raisins and (toasted) pine nuts
• fold the Alu foil around the banana and fold over & crimp the edges; turn up the ends so no liquid can leak out
• put on the grill (a good afterglow from a charcoal grill will do fine)
• after 20-25 minutes check one of the banana pouches (be careful, steam may escape when you open it)
• the bananas are done when the butter/liquid has been boiling for a while, and the bananas are soft
• serve hot, with a good dallop of whipped cream; cover with almonds
• if you like, drizzle your favorite chocolate sauce over it
• if you like, put some more apricot marmalade on it
• can also be served with vanilla ice cream
• can be prepared ahead of time (don't cook)
• can also be prepared in the oven. [Frank Dörenberg]