Happy Valentine’s Day to all my Deadsplinter lovelies! I didn’t have time to send out cards or ship roses but I do have something for you. This is like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup sandwich as reimagined by Elvis, and chef and Chopped judge Marc Murphy recommends it as a Valentine’s Day treat. So do I, having made it in the run-up to this post.
8 (2-oz.) sourdough or whole-wheat bread slices
1/2 cup hazelnut-chocolate spread [He means Nutella but I guess they don’t sponsor Chopped or The Food Network. I would use Nutella, even though the Nutella we get in North America is manufactured in Canada, because in the US the chocolate used in the European version is far superior and Hershey’s will have none of that! Seriously, there’s a whole long, complicated story about how Big Chocolate keeps superior product out of the country so we subsist on waxy versions heavy on the oil and light on the cacao.]
2 ripe bananas (6 oz. each), thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup creamy or chunky peanut butter
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
Evenly spread hazelnut-chocolate spread on one side of 4 slices of the bread. Layer banana slices evenly on top.
Evenly spread peanut butter on one side of remaining 4 slices of bread. Place peanut butter side on top of bananas, and press down lightly. Butter one side of each sandwich with 1/2 tablespoon butter.
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium. Working in batches, place panini on skillet, buttered side down. Cook, pressing down with a spatula, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Butter tops of sandwiches evenly with remaining butter. Flip and cook other side until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining panini. (Alternatively, heat panini griddle according to the manufacturer’s directions. Place sandwiches on grill, working in batches if necessary. Close lid, and grill until bread is toasted, 3 to 5 minutes.) Serve immediately.
Serves: 4 (I guess Marc Murphy believes in polyamory. No judging on my part, I can certainly see its benefits, but just the thought of it exhausts me. One Better Half is quite enough for me, thanks.)
Mmmmmm. Comfort food taken to a higher level! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and the Better Half and the Faithful Hound.
Thanks. And to you and Mr. Blacksmith and the four doggoes!
Excuse me, but the jar of Nutella is in the FRONT of my cabinet.
This is practically the Elvis special. Which is a good thing.
Elvis served in the military, in Germany, so I wonder if he ever smeared Nutella on his peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
Um, yes please!