Nutella and Banana Panini

This may seem like a strange post, but this morning I was craving something sweet, ans why not  make something 'comforting' fun, and sinfully delicious without a lot of calories. I love Nutella, just like everyone else, but hardly ever use it to make a dessert... even though I have the jar sitting in my cupboard, next to the jar of peanut butter. I also had a whole Challah bread in my freezer, I had it sitting there for over one month. Such a perfect grilled panini with Nutella, and the banana pairing!

I must warn you, this Nutella Panini is not elegant...there's no other way to present it to make it look fancy; it's 'what you see is what you get' kind of a droolworthy awesome grilled sweet sandwich, made exclusively in a Panini Grill that is only for grilled sandwiches. I only ate one small portion, and wrapped up the rest to take over to my little grandson as a great snack when he came out of kindergarten. My daughter also enjoyed it as well!
Notice the perfect grill marks?... can't get better than that!

I'm sure, there must be an actual recipe out there, by I got my inspiration from one of my other favorite sandwich, which is the peanut butter banana sandwich, which I'm sure will taste as yummy, as a grilled panini.

 Nutella and Banana Panini
 recipe by; Elisabeth

Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread
1 or 2 ripe bananas, sliced
4 (1-inch thick) slices of Challah bread
or white sandwich bread

Spread 1 tablespoon of Nutella on one side of each slice of bread. If you're using a small, or med. banana, you can fill the entire bread slice with the banana slices.Top with the remaining bread slice, spread side down.

Preheat your panini grill, on med. high. This is a 'thrift find' panini grill, which I purchased about a year ago, for $9.99...a real bargain, and it works great!

 Place the panini (sandwich) on the hot grid, close the lid down and grill for about 5 or 6 minutes.

 When you see the grill marks appear, your sandwich is done.

While it's still warm, with a serrated knife, cut into half, or thirds...just watch it disappear... Yumm













 Some pre-Christmas visit at Macy's with my grandchildren!

 Last Saturday, at Macy's at City Place, in West Palm Beach...letter to Santa Claus!

Beautiful Christmas tree, at Macy's

I just had to snap this photo...so cool, so Christmasy...this car parked in front of Publix supermarket, after we left Macy's and stopped to buy a few items, at the supermarket. Imagine, the person cramming the Christmas tree into the car...also leaving the windows down and totally leaving down, and all open.

When we came out of the supermarket after 30 minutes, the car with the Christmas tree inside was still parked...isn't this a cute car?...a brand new FIAT! (not mine, of course)...wouldn't mind to own this little beauty:)

I Left My Heart, in San Francisco!

You all remember the song..."I left my heart in San Francisco?"...or I left my heart at the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival, in SAN FRANCISCO//NOV 4-6, 2011... hosted by Foodbuzz!

For the last 3 months, I've been planning to join this exciting event, since I missed the 1st and the 2nd event for the last 2 years. It was a sudden decision for me, but once I decided to attend, there was no "backing out." Besides, my food blogger friend Joanna, of ChicGorgeous told me that she is planning to attend, all the way from Malaysia, and asked if I would like to be "roomies" with her to split the cost. After all, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, at a great discount, and split by two people is more affordable, and very luxurious!

The fifth building from the left, on the 17th floor, is where we stayed, overlooking the most beautiful view of the city, and a portion of the Bay, Very elegant, and I must say a perfect room assigned to us with a fabulous view!
Such an amazing place to hold the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival.

So, this is the spectacular view from the Grand Hyatt Hotel, from the 17th floor. You can see a glimpse of the Bay, behind the skyscraper buildings. As for the weather...around 61 degrees F in the daytime, and about 47-51 at night, wind blowing every day. A little "nippy" for this Florida girl! Good thing I packed a warm light jacket, sweater, and the best...my trusty little windbreaker light coat, that really protects you from wind, and rain, which we also experienced, and sunshine, as well!

Another view from our room, through the full length window... one of my favorite stores, Macy's, staring right at me! So far, I'm just showing you the immediate view, as we settled in our hotel...wait till you see all the foods, provided by the Foodbuzz team, Alexia, and Godiva Coffee!

Spacious large room, with 2 Queen size beds, a large flats screen T.V, and the view!...did I mention the view?...of course I did...just cannot get over the magnificent view!

My beautiful friends...Gina from SPCookiequeen, and my roommate, and friend. Joanna from ChicGorgeous

Our first stop was at the Terra Gallery, for the Welcome Reception, to meet up with all the attending foodies, and start out the feast with appetizers, and an open bar. I just stayed with my Chardonnay wine. Such a great turnout for this event!

Endless appetizers, fresh veggie crudities, and dips. This is where people were mingling around! You might recognize a few people in some of these photos!

Here we are having all these fabulous dinners upstairs. This is from the Comfort food station...sponsored by Electrolux. Tuscan Beef Stew, with Honey Cornbread!

Housemade Beet Ravioli, Wild Arugula, Fine Herbs, with Shaved Holly Springs Aged Goat Cheese...Yumm! This was to "die for" delicious!

This is one of my favorite photos...waiters bringing endless food, and some of the bloggers self serving, at the Buffet Station!

This is the "small plates" Action Station, serving Glazed Marin Sun Farms Pork Belly, and Pan-Seared Day Boat Scallops.

Glazed Marin Sun Farms Pork Belly...Broccoli Puree, Wood Roasted Florets, Pickled Shiitakes and  Chile Morita Vinaigrette.

Chefs, plating the small plates with the Glazed Pork Belly!

Jennifer Che (Tiny Urban Kitchen) winner of the 2010 Project Food Blog Competition...with some encouraging words!

This has been part of Day 1...haven't even shown you the dessert station from the Foodbuzz Awards Dinner yet. I will be posting it tomorrow! It's getting very late, I'm still tired from the trip, and the 3hr time difference, which really isn't too much!
All in all, I can't seem to stop talking about my trip, and the Foodbuzz people for making this event so successful, and thanking all the sponsors as well, for their generosity to participate in the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival. Also, I am so sorry for not being able to comment to my food blogger friends, since I was so busy enjoying the festivities and meet up with my food blogger friends, and getting to know new bloggers, as well!
I am so glad to be back in my little S. Florida city...no sky scraper building here...among other strange but interesting things I noticed in San Francisco, which is not food related!
Will catch up with more, in at least 3 parts...Nite, nite!