Banana Bread with the Almond Crème Anglaise

Ingredients for Banana Bread:

• 6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room
• temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 or 3 very ripe bananas, coarsely mashed
• (about 1 1⁄2 cups)
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄2 tsp. salt

Ingredients for the Almond Crème Anglaise: 

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted, raw ground almods
• 6 egg yolks
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• Tiny pinch of salt

Directions for Banana Bread:
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the bananas and eggs and beat until smooth. Add the buttermilk and beat just until combined.
In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg and salt. Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and beat just until combined. The batter should be slightly lumpy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. It should be no more than two-thirds full. Bake until the loaf is dark golden brown and dry to the touch and the edges pull away from the sides of the pan, 55 to 60 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the bread rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and let cool completely. Cut into thick slices to serve. Makes one 9-by-5-inch loaf.
Storage Tip: Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature overnight or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.


Directions to make the Crème Anglaise: In a heavy saucepan, whisk together the egg yolks, and sugar, then gradually whisk in the milk and the almonds until thoroughly blended. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and leaves a clear trail when a finger is drawn through it, 7 to 10 minutes; do not let it boil. Place in a larger bowl partially filled with ice water and let cool, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the almond extract and salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.