Fried Elvis Bananas on Sticks

Ingredients:

• 8 thin strips of bacon
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 bananas, peeled and cut in half crosswise
• 1 1/4 cups cake flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• A pinch of coarse salt
• 1 cup very cold seltzer water
• Honey to drizzle
• Vegetable oil, for deep-frying
• Special equipment: deep-fry thermometer; 8 wooden skewers or popsicle sticks

Preparation:

1. In a cauldron, heat 5 cm of vegetable oil over medium-high heat to 190°C.
2. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until the fat has rendered but the bacon is still pliable and not too crisp, 4-5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Let cool.
3. Spread one side of each slice of bacon with peanut butter. Wrap each slice around a banana slice, peanut-side down, pressing firmly to adhere.
4. Place a small amount of cake flour in a shallow bowl for dusting. In a medium bowl, combine the cake flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Stir in the seltzer water, being careful not to overmix the batter (a few small lumps are normal).
5. Dredge half the bananas in flour, then dip them in the batter and carefully lower them into the hot oil. Fry them, a few at a time, until crispy and golden brown, turning once, for 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and repeat with the remaining bananas. Insert wooden skewers into the bananas. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately.