2tablespoons melted, clarified butter, plus more for greasing pan
4tablespoons powdered sugar
5 egg whites
3tablespoons lemon juice
4bananas
1cup Sugar Syrup
METHOD
Preheat oven to 180˚C (350˚F).
Using a food processor or your fingertips, process or rub konafa to fine crumbs.
Transfer crumbs to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons clarified butter and 2 tablespoons of the powdered sugar. Toss to mix.
Grease a 25cm (10in) tart pan with a removable bottom with clarified butter. Press konafa mixture over bottom and up sides of pan.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat egg whites with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and ½ teaspoon of the lemon juice until stiff peaks form.
Peel bananas. Drizzle with remaining lemon juice to avoid discoloration.
Remove konafa crust from oven. Pour syrup evenly over crust. Let cool.
Preheat broiler or ready kitchen torch.
Arrange bananas over crust in even layer. Spread meringue evenly over bananas. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over top.
Broil or torch meringue until tips are golden brown.
Variations/Whipped Cream and Fresh Fruit
Follow directions above to make and bake a konafa crust. Substitute banana filling and meringue topping for whipped cream (or custard) filling and fresh fruit topping: Spread some whipped cream evenly over crust, then arrange sliced fresh fruit (such as papaya, mango, kiwi, and/or berries) overlapping in a concentric circle over cream. Sprinkle some pomegranate seeds on top.
CHEF NOTES
Dried or left over konafa can be processed to fine crumbs and used in different recipes.