I recently had dinner at a Chicago hot spot that was opened a couple years ago. It’s a tiny small plate inspired restaurant nestled in between the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue. And while most small plate restaurants have a very limited dessert menu that is nothing to write about, The Purple Pig had one, unusual, delicious dessert. Panino con Nutella, which they described as a sweet sandwich filled with bananas, marshmallow crème and a chocolate hazelnut spread.
I’d never before experienced the chocole hazelnut spread, known to all as Nutella. I assume I’m one of the only people in the world that had not experienced Nutella. But one bite and I was hooked. Nutella does not taste like nuts as I was expecting, but a sweet chocolate-y snack, about the consistency of creamy peanut butter. This Nutella Panini was delicious! Gooey, sweet, yet crunchy. The chocolate blended with bananas was familiar and scrumptious and paired with a sweet bread created a nice crunch. I simply had to have this dessert again. So the next night, feeling adventurous and gluttonous I set out to make this dessert.
Making your own Nutella Panini is super easy. Just grab the following items from your grocery store.
1 Jar Nutella
1 Jar Marshmallow Crème
2 ripe bananas
4 slices of sweet, sturdy bread such as crusty Italian or sourdough
This will make you two Panini, so add more or less if you are making just one or hosting a party for tons.
Spread 2 tablespoons (more of less depending on how gooey you want them to be) Nutella on one side of each slice of bread. Top with 1-2 tablespoons Marshmallow Crème (again, more or less to gooeyness). Peel and then cut each banana in half. Then slice each banana half lengthwise, into long, thin slices and place the slices on top of one piece of bread from each sandwich. Top the banana bread piece of bread with the other slice of bread covered in Nutella and Marshmallow. Toast each Panini in a skillet over medium head about 2 minutes per side or until desired warmth and gooeyness has been achieved. Remove sandwich from skillet, cut in half, and serve warm.
Enjoy! And then visit the Nutella website for an array of ideas and recipes. There are lots of yummy things to do with Nutella, including just eating it with a spoon. Let me know what you think!