Giada's Chocolate, Brie & Basil Panini Appetizer

Looking for something delicious and unusual to surprise your party guests?  Try these bite size paninis that are full of flavor and easy to make.  Adapted to appetizer size from original recipe by Giada De Laurentis.

Ingredients

1 Chuao Chinita Nibs Chocolate Bar (click here)

or other quality dark chocolate.

1 Sourdough Baguette

Brie Cheese  

Fresh Basil leaves

High quality olive oil

Makes around 12 to 16 appetizers

Preparation

Grate the chocolate bar into large pieces (fine pieces will melt too quickly and be too messy).  Set aside.  

Cut a large handful of basil into ribbons and set aside. 

Slice baguette on the diagonal very thinly.   Brush one side of each piece with a high quality olive oil. 

Remove rind from brie and slice to a generous thickness.

Layer brie, basil and chocolate shavings on the un-oiled side of bread and make a small sandwich.  Grill on each side for 1 to 2 minutes until contents are gooey in the middle and bread is golden on each side.  It is OK if chocolate is still a bit chrunchy.  Serve immediately.

This also works as an open face appetizer.  You may need to finish this version for a few seconds in the microwave if contents have not sufficiently melted.