French Toast Panini with Grilled Bananas

• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from about 1 medium orange)
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cognac (optional)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch salt
• 8 slices Texas toast, or other white bread sliced 1 inch thick
• 3 large ripe bananas
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter, for the panini grill
• Confectioners sugar, for garnish
• Pure maple syrup

1. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, juice, vanilla, cognac, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
2. Place the bread in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the bread slices in a single layer.
3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread, and soak for 10 minutes.
4. While the bread is soaking, heat a panini grill to high.
5. Brush the bananas evenly with the melted butter.
6. Place the bananas on the grill, lightly close the cover (do not press the cover down tightly or youll have banana mush), and grill for about 3 minutes, until the bananas have nice grill marks and are beginning to release their juices.
7. Use a spatula to transfer the bananas to a plate, then use a paper towel to wipe the panini grill clean.
8. When the bananas are cool enough to handle, cut them into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
9. Preheat the oven to 200F.
10. Remove a piece of bread from the egg mixture, allowing any excess moisture to drip off.
11. Place the bread on a cutting board, top with four or five banana slices, then top with another piece of bread.
12. Brush the panini grill lightly with vegetable oil, place the sandwich on the grill, press the top closed, and grill for 3 to 4 minutes, until crisp.
13. Transfer the sandwich to a baking sheet, and keep warm in the oven while you grill the remaining sandwiches.
14. To serve, slice the panini in half diagonally, and serve warm with a dusting of confectioners sugar and plenty of maple syrup on the side.

eggs, milk, heavy cream, orange juice, vanilla, cognac, sugar, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, salt, bread, bananas, unsalted butter, vegetable oil, confectioners sugar, maple syrup

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/french-toast-panini-with-grilled-bananas-375376 (may not work)