Panini Happy® » Dessert

Strawberry, Banana & Nutella Panini

Kathy — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:24:08 +0000

When I was six years old my best friend’s family went away to Switzerland for several months. When she returned, the sandwiches her mom made for us on playdates at her house were upgraded to include an exciting new chocolate frosting-like ingredient. I could hardly believe we were allowed to have it. It came from a squat little jar with the letters “n-u-t-e-l-l-a” across the front.

To this day, I still feel…sly might be the word…whenever I dip into the little Nutella jar. It’s seriously okay to just eat spreadable chocolate like that? It just seems so wrong…yet so right! I even go so far as to store it in the back of my pantry to avoid the temptation. I guess that’s why I’ve never shared a Nutella panini recipe until now (well, technically I have, but I haven’t made a true sandwich on sliced bread with it). Maybe I wasn’t ready to confess that a sandwich filled with chocolate spread was something in which I might, from time to time, delight.

(...)
Continue reading "Strawberry, Banana & Nutella Panini" >>

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2011. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/strawberry-banana-nutella-panini/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Open-Face Ice Cream Sandwiches with Caramelized Bananas and Walnuts

Kathy — Fri, 14 May 2010 22:42:11 +0000

If you were to ask me what’s the very best thing I could think of to make with this Chocolate Bread I’ve been talking about all week, it would go something like this:

I’d grill a slice to get it nice and warm and a little bit toasted on the outside. Then I’d mound a generous scoop of Haagen-Dazs vanilla bean ice cream (or homemade if I had some) right in the middle, not minding in the least if some…or a lot…of it decided to melt on down the grilled ridges of the chocolate bread. After that I’d ladle on some caramelized bananas…and an extra ladle of that yummy caramel from the skillet. To finish it off, I’d sprinkle on some freshly toasted walnuts.

See, I told you I saved the best for last.

Thanks for joining me for Chocolate Bread Panini Week! If you missed them, check out my Brie & Basil Grilled Cheese on Chocolate Bread and Almond Butter & Raspberry Panini on Chocolate Bread recipes. I think we’ll have to go savory for a little while to counteract all this sugar.

(...)
Continue reading "Open-Face Ice Cream Sandwiches with Caramelized Bananas and Walnuts" >>

© Panini Happy®, 2010. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/open-face-ice-cream-sandwiches-with-caramelized-bananas-and-walnuts/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Brie & Basil Grilled Cheese on Chocolate Bread

Kathy — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:05:17 +0000

As I mentioned yesterday, it’s Chocolate Bread Panini Week on Panini Happy – one amazing homemade chocolate yeast bread plus three different panini made with it. Believe it or not, this Brie and basil grilled cheese was actually the very first panini idea that popped into my head to make with the chocolate bread. It’s based on the Panini with Chocolate and Brie that Giada De Laurentiis made a year or so ago on her Food Network show, Everyday Italian. Not surprisingly, there was a bit of online buzz about this unusual-sounding flavor combination. Especially the basil…doesn’t that seem kind of random? But people swore up and down that it was amazing, so I was intrigued.

Giada made hers on sourdough bread and added chocolate as a filling. Could I replace those ingredients with chocolate bread and still have a tasty result?

(...)
Continue reading "Brie & Basil Grilled Cheese on Chocolate Bread" >>

© Panini Happy®, 2010. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/brie-basil-grilled-cheese-on-chocolate-bread/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Gingerbread Blondie S’mores Panini

Kathy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:50:40 +0000

It started with thoughts of gingerbread…

Could I make dessert panini with gingerbread?

Nice, semi-thick, cake-like gingerbread might really work on the grill. It would get all crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

I should do blondies. Is there a recipe for gingerbread blondies? Oh, thank God – Martha’s got one. Perfect.

Now I’m thinking s’mores. But s’mores with what?

Martha’s recipe calls for white chocolate, but if I put white chocolate next to marshmallow cream they’ll be indistinguishable in the photos. Plus, I kind of overdid white chocolate during that major Nestlé Alpine White kick of mine back in the ’80s.

The Flavor Bible says dark chocolate is also great with ginger. As is citrus.

Didn’t I just buy a whole palette of Cuties?

Thick, cakey gingerbread blondies filled with dark chocolate, marshmallow cream and clementine zest, grilled on the panini press…and cut into gingerbread men shapes!

I’m so doing this.

(...)
Continue reading "Gingerbread Blondie S’mores Panini" >>

Peanut Butter Pound Cake S’mores Panini

Kathy — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:05:39 +0000

I’ll get right to the punchline – these were over the top, scarf ‘em down good! I’m just thankful that I only use still images on Panini Happy rather than any kind of live webcam or you’d have witnessed my husband and I spattering the kitchen countertops with chocolate sauce as we repeatedly dunked more than our fair share of grilled little peanut butter and marshmallow fluff pound cake sandwiches last night. All that buttery cake soaking up the rich chocolate, with the slightly salty chunky peanut butter and sticky-sweet marshmallow fluff oozing out…it’s beyond!

I must thank and give credit to Grace Parisi at Food & Wine magazine for coming up with this idea. I’d been toying with ideas for s’mores panini so when I came across her recipe for a skillet-grilled s’mores sandwich in this month’s issue I knew I had to give it a try. My adaptation utilizes a panini press rather than a skillet (surprised?) so you get these great crispy golden ridges on the outside – perfect for cradling all of that yummy chocolate sauce.

(...)
Continue reading "Peanut Butter Pound Cake S’mores Panini" >>

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2008. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/peanut-butter-pound-cake-smores-panini/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Grilled Brownie Sundae Panini

Kathy — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:11:48 +0000

Oh yes, I did!

Grilling brownies on the panini press – it works! They may be a little flatter than typical brownies, but they’re still soft and chocolatey and warm and the perfect platform for dessert panini. I grilled these up with some slightly tart frozen yogurt inside, the most wonderful blueberry balsamic syrup (thanks, Dragon’s Kitchen!), a sprinkling of chopped nuts and some freshly whipped cream. My sister, husband and I agreed – these little brownie sandwiches were insanely delicious!

(...)
Continue reading "Grilled Brownie Sundae Panini" >>

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2008. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/grilled-brownie-sundae-panini/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Peach-Rosemary Pancake Panini Recipe

Kathy — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:37:10 +0000

Yup, I grilled pancakes too! I feel a little mischievous in the kitchen when I get ready to make panini out of unlikely ingredients – “Ooooh…DARING!!” As I much as I love so-called “normal” panini, every once in a while I like to grill up something a little different. I’d had pretty good success in the past with grilling cookies, bagels, and croissants – so I went in with high hopes when I attempted pancakes. I was not disappointed!

(...)
Continue reading "Peach-Rosemary Pancake Panini Recipe" >>

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2008. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/peach-rosemary-pancake-panini/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Chocolate Chip Cookies & Ice Cream Panini Recipe

Kathy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:50:00 +0000

Who knew you could grill cookies on a panini press? Not only is it faster than baking in the oven, the cookies also come out extra crispy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside – perfect for building grilled ice cream sandwiches! Using ready-made cookie dough, you can enjoy this quick and easy, classic dessert treat any night of the week. Want to read about how this recipe was created? Check out “Yup, I Grilled Cookies!”

(...)
Continue reading "Chocolate Chip Cookies & Ice Cream Panini Recipe" >>

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2008. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/chocolate-chip-cookies-ice-cream-panini-recipe/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Chocolate Raspberry Croissant Panini Recipe…for Two!

Kathy — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:50:00 +0000

UPDATED 2/8/09 – NEW PHOTO! Tempt your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day with a decadent dessert for two! Legend has it that chocolate is a powerful aphrodisiac – combine it with raspberry preserves pressed within a flaky, buttery croissant, drizzled with more chocolate and wading in sweet crème anglaise and you have a panini recipe that is sure to delight on any romantic occasion.

2 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3 egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 croissant
2 oz. semi-sweet or dark chocolate, grated
2 teaspoons raspberry preserves
1/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
raspberries for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

To make crème anglaise, whisk together egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl; set aside. In a medium heavy saucepan cook milk and heavy cream over medium heat, stirring constantly until milk begins to simmer (bubbles will form around the edge of the saucepan). Remove from heat. Gradually stir milk into the egg mixture. Clean the saucepan that was used to heat the milk and cream, removing any cooked-on bits. Transfer the custard mixture back into the saucepan. Heat custard over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat once custard is slightly thickened (you should be able to draw a line with your finger on the back of the spoon), about 5 minutes. Strain custard into a small bowl. Let cool 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so that a film doesn’t form on the surface.

Heat the panini grill to 350 degrees.

Cut an opening around the inside edge of the croissant, creating a pocket for the chocolate and raspberry preserves. Spread preserves inside the croissant pocket. Sprinkle chocolate on top of the preserves. Grill sandwich at medium grill height for 4-5 minutes until chocolate is completely melted.

Meanwhile, heat chocolate chips in the microwave on high in a small microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Stir until smooth; set aside.

Spoon 3 tablespoons of creme anglaise onto a dessert plate (you can discard the remaining creme anglaise). Place croissant on parchment paper or other nonstick surface. With a spoon, drizzle chocolate over the top of the croissant. Transfer the croissant to the dessert plate, positioning it in the center of the pool of crème anglaise. Garnish with raspberries and enjoy!

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2008. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/chocolate-raspberry-croissant-panini-recipefor-two/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

Grilled Apple Turnovers

Kathy — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:22:00 +0000

There’s nothing better than the warmth and spice of apples and cinnamon nestled in flaky puff pastry, with sweet caramel sauce and creamy vanilla ice cream spilling down the crisp pastry ridges. Enticed? Then you’ll enjoy this recipe for Grilled Apple Turnovers.

Grilled Apple Turnovers

8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups orange juice, no pulp

4 Fuji apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/8″ thick

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons flour

1 17.3-oz package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed (e.g., Pepperidge Farm)

Vanilla ice cream

Caramel sauce

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl, soak the apple slices in the orange juice (this will preserve their color as well as add flavor).

In a gallon-sized zippered plastic bag, combine sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Drain the apples (do not rinse) and add them to the bag. Seal the bag and shake to coat the apples with the sugar mixture.

Heat the panini press to medium-high heat (about 400°F).

On a floured surface, roll each sheet of puff pastry into a 12″ x 12″ square. Divide each square into 4-6″ x 6″ squares for a total of 8 squares. Spoon apple slices into the center of each square, being careful not to overfill. Working with each square one at a time, dip a finger in water and wet the edges of a square. Fold the pastry to form a triangle, pressing the edges together. Seal the turnover by either folding the edges over or crimping with a fork. Repeat for the remaining 7 squares.

Place two turnovers on the lower grate of the panini press. Close the press (if your press allows you to adjust the height, place it on a low-medium height) and grill for 12 minutes or until the pastry is puffed, golden and crisp on the outside. Repeat for the remaining 6 turnovers.

While still hot, top each turnover with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with caramel sauce.

Panini Happy is on Pinterest!Follow me and my fun, food-filled boards, including Foodspiration, Exceptional Sandwiches and Sandwich Art.

More from Panini Happy:

It's been 3 years since I first made these Monte Cristo Panini for Valentine's Day but they're still among my husband's favorites.

~ Treat your valentine to a special breakfast this year - Ham, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Crepes, finished on the panini maker.

~ Traveling to a new city soon? Browse Panini Happy’s Great American Sandwich Guide to find the best sandwiches across the country!

~ Ready to buy a panini press? Check out my Panini Press Buying Advice for the features to look for.

Pinterest Facebook Twitter Subscribe

© Panini Happy®, 2008. Panini Happy is a registered trademark of Kathryn Strahs.
Permalink: http://paninihappy.com/apple-turnover-panini-recipe/

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh