Place the oven rack in the highest position; heat the broiler.
In a medium bowl, stir together the cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and the vanilla.
Place 4 oven-proof, 6-ounce ramekins on a baking sheet and divide the cottage cheese mixture among the ramekins. Thinly slice 1/2 a banana over the cottage cheese mixture in each ramekin.
Sprinkle the banana slices with the remaining brown sugar. Broil as close to the heat as possible for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sugar melts. Serve immediately.