Fried Bananas

Ingredients

100g/4oz plain flour
1⁄2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons desiccated or shredded coconut
4 firm bananas
vegetable oil for deep-frying
2 tablespoons clear honey
vanilla ice cream, to serve (optional)

• Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Stir in the sugar. Whisk in the egg and just enough water (you will need about 6 tablespoons, added a tablespoon at a time) to make a thin batter. Whisk in the coconut.
• Heat enough oil for deep-frying in a preheated wok.
• Peel the bananas. Carefully cut each one in half lengthways, then cut in half widthways. Dip in the batter, then gently drop a few pieces at a time into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown.
• Remove the bananas from the oil using a slotted spoon, and drain on kitchen paper. Serve immediately with honey drizzled over and some vanilla ice cream, if you like.
• Serves 4