Carmelized Apple and Cheddar Panini

Apples are another classic fall flavor, and though our apple-picking bounty is gone, I still haven't grown tired of adding Fujis into my cooking.

I absolutely loved this grilled cheese twist, though I can't say the same for my kids.  Apparently, "things" don't belong in grilled cheese, and I should have served the apples on the side.

Regardless, I liked this, and think this makes a great lunch.

Carmelized Apple and Cheddar Panini

very slightly tweaked from Beantown Baker

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp butter
  
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  
• 1 dash of cinnamon
  
• 1 apple (peeled, cored and sliced)
  
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 6 slices of good bread
  
• 1 Tbsp butter
  

Preheat panini press.  Melt the butter in a non-stick pan.

Add the sugar and cinnamon and cook until bubbly.  Add the apples and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

To assemble sandwiches, divide shredded cheese and apples between 3 slices of bread.  Top each with another slice of bread and grill until golden brown on both sides, about 2-4 minutes per side.

Apple Banana Bread

We took the kids apple picking last weekend, and I couldn't wait to start baking with our selection!  My husband has been asking for an apple pie, and I'll get there, but I needed something easy to do that first night.

I loved this recipe because it gave me a use for some of the bananas in my freezer.  It was nice and sweet and made a great breakfast the next morning.

Apple Banana Bread

very slightly adapted from cooks.com

Ingredients

• 1 c. sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 stick butter
  
• 3 ripe bananas
  
• 1 tsp. baking soda
  
• 2 c. flour
  
• 1 tsp. vanilla
  
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 or 3 peeled, chopped apples
  

Beat sugar, eggs and butter. Slice in bananas. Let mixer do the mashing. Add baking soda, vanilla, cinnamon, and flour. Fold in chopped apples. Fill greased and floured bread pans 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.