Nutella® (Recipe: Nutella banana bruschetta)

Never say never.

Even though the diet begins tomorrow -- all diets begin tomorrow, or the day after -- I can't promise that there will never again be rich, gooey, chocolatey Nutella® in my pantry.

It's too delicious, too versatile, and too easy to turn into instantly impressive desserts.

There are two formulations of the chocolate-hazelnut-skim-milk spread sold under the Nutella name. The original, made in Italy since the 1940s, is not the same product made in Canada and imported to America for the past twenty years. Canadian Nutella contains more chocolate and more sugar, and less hazelnut, than the Italian original.

 

In my local supermarket, Nutella sits on the shelf with peanut butter and jellies, which makes sense; it tastes enough like chocolate peanut butter that I'm sure Elvis would have loved to spread it on his signature sandwich (which inspired the recipe below).

Use Nutella in super simple Nutella ice cream, Nutella and mixed nut cereal clusters, Nutella bread pudding, Nutella cookies, or coffee macarons with Nutella cream.

Stored at room temperature, even after opening, Nutella keeps for months.

Or for hours, which is just about how long it lasts in my house.

 

NUTELLA BANANA BRUSCHETTA
An easy-to-make dessert that's over-the-top all on its own, or garnishing a bowl of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt. You could also use sliced strawberries, pears, peaches or mangoes, depending on what looks best at the market. Figure on one or two bruschetta per person.

1 small loaf whole-wheat French bread
1/2 jar Nutella
1 banana, peeled and thinly sliced
1-2 Tbsp brown sugar
Sea salt

Preheat the broiler or, if your oven doesn't have a broiler, heat oven to 450°F.

Heat a dry nonstick frying pan or griddle over medium heat.

Cut the bread 1/4 inch thick on an angle to make long, thin slices. Toast the bread in the frying pan for 2 minutes on each side, until lightly toasted. Remove from the pan and set on a tray or counter top.

Smear each slice of bread on one side with a bit of Nutella. Top each with 3-4 slices of banana. Sprinkle on a tiny bit of brown sugar. Place the bread slices on a sheet pan, and put the pan under the broiler for a minute or longer, depending on the strength of your broiler (mine is infrared, so it takes less than a minute), until the sugar is just melted.

Remove sheet pan from the oven and sprinkle each bruschetta with sea salt. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

[Printer-friendly recipe.]

More recipes in The Perfect Pantry:
Banana or strawberry quesadillas
Truffles
Chocolate chip banana bars
Chocolate-mango-kiwi wontons

Comments

[maris]

Ooh. I'm so glad I visited your blog. Seeking desserts to bring to a New Years Eve party and this might be a hit. It also might be messy for a finger food style party but my kitchen will definitely see this soon!

[smay]

I totally love how well bananas go with nutella. This looks like a delish snack. I once made banana and nutella muffins. Should definitely try this idea for a snack sometime! :)

[noobcook]

I have bananas and nutella. Just a perfect breakfast to wake up to. Happy 2010! :)

[Misty]

I didn't even know Nutella existed until I had it on a crepe in Paris when I was a teenager. I've never bought it since, because I know I'll eat the entire jar in one sitting, but I have enjoyed it since then. Now you have me craving another Nutella fix!

[Erin from long island]

there is nothing better then crisp fruit (i like bosc pears or honeydew) dipped in nutella...yummmmm

[Natashya]

I had no idea Canadian Nutella was so diluted with sugar, etc.
My daughter loves the stuff. (Although I buy the President's Choice one as it is less expensive.. - we do what we can!)
Great looking bruschetta, perfect for a family friendly party.

[Julia]

Mmm. that looks delicious! but as someone who doesn't eat nuts, I seek out the nut-free chocolate spread -- I first found it in Israel. In the US, I can find it at the kosher markets -- Hashachar. I've been known to eat a few chocolate-banana sandwiches in my day!

Happy New Year! And to more food adventures in 2010.

[bellini valli]

Nutella will always be a pantry staple in the MTBT household. This combination is a great way to start the new year!!!

[Paul]

I used to be a hopeless Nutella addict, when living in Berlin - breakfast with German students was always slabs of excellent bread, cheese, hams and meats, and Nutella...

but now I control myself. Sigh.

[carol,boston]

I make a mean banana crepe - I think the Nutella would send them over the top!!!
(unfortunately I don't think I can be trusted with a jar in the house...)

[T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types]

Ha! A great addition to the Pantry! And, I know what you mean about Nutella lasting for hours, not months. I'm sending this post to my college roommate, who recently told me he was highly suspicious of the benefits of Nutella.

[Daryl Callahan]

I feel like going down and making this right now!

[Ronda]

This is so funny. I just finished eating leftover Swedish pancakes with Nutella and bananas for breakfast. It was very good.

[Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy]

You're getting ready for World Nutella Day on February 5th a little early! I love it :)

[Katie]

When I was travelling around Europe in college, I bought a jar of Nutella in every country, and each one tasted slightly different. Perhaps it was the atmosphere of each country that altered my perceptions :). I definitely prefer the more intense hazelnut flavor of the Italian version.

[Kalyn]

Drooling. I've never had Nutella (I know it's shocking!) Pretty sure I would like it though.

[Sandie (Inn Cuisine)]

Nutella is my kryptonite. It's so, so good, especially with bananas as you well know. Happy 2010 Lydia! I wish you the best life has to offer.

[Judy]

Love banana and chocolate together but never, ever thought of making bruschetta with it! Happy New Year to you and wishing you all the best in 2010!

[pam]

Happy New Year, Lydia! This is perfect timing because I am buying some bananas tomorrow for a mashed sweet potato recipe, and I know I'll have extras, and now I know what I'm going to do with them!

[veron]

Oh my, what a fantastic way to bring in the new year. Diets can definitely wait. Happy New Year, Lydia!

[Andrea Meyers]

Hazelnuts and chocolate, so simple and yet so addictive. If Nutella is in our pantry, it doesn't last long. I like it spread on top of rice crispy treats and as a substitute for chocolate bars in s'mores.

[Susan @ SGCC]

That looks fantastic! Nutella and Bananas go together better than peanut butter and jelly!

Happy New Year, Lydia. I hope your 2010 is filled with good health, happiness and delicious adventures!

[The Purple Foodie]

Love the Bruschetta idea! I didn't know that there was a difference in Nutella in Canada and Italy! Live and and learn... Wish you a wonderful 2010!

[barbara]

Delicious Lydia. Hope you had a great New Year. I must remember World Nutella Day and join in.

[Beatrice]

I do a lot of toast with peanut butter, nutella, and bananas. This looks like a classier version. (I still might add peanut butter, though!)

[Jerry (CBSOP)]

Awesome recipe as always Lydia. I'm actually planning something similar to this in the next few days. I hope it lives up to your example.

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Everyone, thanks for your great suggestions of more things to do with Nutella (peanut butter, veggies, sandwiches, crepes!). Happy new year to all -- I'm so glad you stopped by.

[Karen@Mignardise]

Insanely delicious. I hope I can find the jar of Nutella I have hidden in the back of my pantry.

Looking forward to World Nutella Day, but I'm sure I'll make this much sooner than that!

[Sri]

Wow, I have never had Nutella in my life! It does sound like I have been missing something really delicious. Thanks for the enlightenment, Lydia :-)

[michelle]

Hours... that's about how long Nutella lasts in my house, too. Why can't it be health food?

Beautiful, as usual, Lydia!

[bridget {bake at 350}]

Love that..."or hours." LOVE Nutella! My sister brought me my first jar years ago from Italy!

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Karen, I'll send my husband to your pantry -- he can sniff out that Nutella in no time!

Sri, I'm going to get you together with other commenters who haven't had Nutella, and we'll have a Nutella party.

Michelle, could it be mental health food???

Bridget, I'm not exaggerating. Oh, how I wish I were....

[Anne]

I just sent this post to my sister in Ohio - we're both Nutella addicts and suffering our first day back to work after winter break - so definitely mental health food :)