PANINIS by Brenda Riden

Typically, a panini is a sandwich made with Italian bread, usually toasted, with deli meats and cheeses inside. Some people cook the sandwich in a grill pan so it has the typical grill marks. If you don't have a grill pan, you can still make a panini by putting your sandwich in a skillet and then placing another heavy skillet, like one made of cast iron, on top to press it down. 

The following panini recipes are different and may be just what your "sweet tooth" needs.

Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Banana Panini

8 slices thick white bread

2 Tbps. Softened butter

1 cup smooth peanut butter

½ cup grape jelly

2 ripe bananas, sliced

Heat grill pan to medium heat. Butter the bread slices on one side with butter and place them butter side down. Spread 4 slices with peanut butter and top with banana slices. Spread the remaining slices with jelly. Close the sandwiches. Press them gently to flatten them slightly. Grill the sandwiches for about 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Serve immediately. Serves 4

Chocolate-Strawberry Panini
¼ cup chocolate hazelnut spread (like Nutella)
12 ½” thick slices of pound cake  (from 10.75 oz. loaf)
6 fresh strawberries 
Butter flavored nonstick cooking spray

Heat grill pan to medium heat. Spread chocolate hazelnut spread over 1 side of all the pound cake slices. Slice strawberries with an egg slicer and arrange them over 6 cake slices. Cover with the remaining cake slices, chocolate side down. Spray grill pan with nonstick spray and grill each panini until the pound cake is crisp and golden and the fillings are warm, about 2 minutes. Cut each panini in half and serve. Serves 6

Heavenly Hash Panini
1/2 stick butter, melted
12 slices cinnamon swirl bread, such as Pepperidge Farm or Sara Lee
6 ozs. semisweet chocolate chips
12 ozs. mini marshmallows
2 ozs. chopped pecans, almonds or other nuts of your choice

Heat grill pan over medium heat. Brush 3 slices of bread with the melted butter and place them butter side down into the pan. Top each slice with 1 oz. chocolate chips and 2 oz. marshmallows then sprinkle them with chopped pecans. Place another slice of bread on top of each panini and brush tops with more butter. Grill the paninis over medium high heat 2-3 minutes on each side pressing them down with the Grill Press. Paninis are ready when the outsides are golden and crisp and the insides are melted. Remove paninis and repeat.  

Brenda Riden
Pampered Chef Consultant
www.pamperedchef.biz/brendariden