It sounds unconventional, but Panini Press Brownies are an awesome idea! I saw this recipe on Panini Happy and flipped, because it gives me a reason for the homemade blueberry syrup I wrote about earlier, too! Panini Happy’s picture alone makes my mouth water.

Panini Happy’s Directions:

Brownies:

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat panini grill to 300 degrees.

Try, Cuisinart Griddler Panini Maker

Cook sugar, butter and water in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils.  Remove from heat.  Immediately stir in chocolate chips, stirring until melted.  Stir in egg and vanilla until blended.  Combine flour and baking soda; add to chocolate mixture.

Spoon brownie batter onto the panini grill in 8 equal portions (depending on the size of your grill, you may need to do this in batches).  Close the lid of the grill, leaving about 1/4″ of space between the brownies and the upper grates.  Grill for 5 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a brownie comes out clean.  Carefully remove brownies from the grill (they will be a bit soft).

To assemble each sundae sandwich: Scoop frozen yogurt on top of one brownie.  Sprinkle nuts on top of the frozen yogurt.  Close sandwich with another brownie.  Drizzle blueberry balsamic syrup over the top and finish with a dollop of whipped cream.

It seems like panini presses and new panini recipes are all the rage right now.  But, don’t feel bad if you’re feeling left out of the panini loop.  They’re actually quite easy to make.  Let’s take a closer look at these grilled sandwiches that are so hot right now.

What is a panini? The term panini simply refers to an Italian sandwich made from a small loaf of bread, but the paninis which are so popular right now are actually grilled paninis.  They’re buttered on the outside and cooked in a panini press.

Paninis are fun to make, because you can include whatever vegetables, cheese, or meats that you like.  Experiment with new flavors, and see what you come up with! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Roma tomatoes,mozzarella cheese, and olive oil
• Sliced turkey, provolone, and spicy mustard
• Grilled chicken, mozzarella cheese, and basil
• Sliced apple and cheddar cheese

You can use any kind of bread, or even croissants to make a panini.   Focaccia bread is a popular choice too.

Don’t have a panini press?  Here’s some excellent info on how to make your own panini press with 2 iron skillets.