An Ode To Peanut Butter and Jelly

Happy National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day!

I absolutely love, love, love Peanut Butter and Jelly. I could have eaten it every day as a child, had I been allowed.

I wasn’t.

My mother thought I needed MEAT so instead I got “healthier” sandwiches made of slices of bologna or pickle and pimento loaf, often fried, usually burnt, and then tossed onto white bread and smothered in quivering, shivering mayo. Thanks, Mom.

The great thing about being an adult is that you can eat pretty much whatever you d*mn want to.

And life is too short to eat food you don’t like. Nay, food you don’t LOVE.

If you haven’t had a PB&J lately – perhaps you think of it as just a kid’s sandwich – it’s time to take another sweet bite.

There are many ways to make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Experiment and find your favorite(s)!

Ways To Make A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Peanut Butter

Do you like plain peanut butter? Or maybe crunchy peanut butter? Maybe you like all-natural peanut butter, the kind you have to stir with a knife first.

Or maybe you’d rather not have peanut butter at all. There’s also almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter …

Jellies and Jams and Preserves – Oh, My!

Of course, grape jelly is the classic accompaniment that most people prefer. Except, of course, those who prefer strawberry.

But there are many other berries out there. I am very partial to peanut butter and blackberry jam sandwiches. Peanut butter and blueberry sandwiches ain’t bad, either. Let’s not forget raspberries, cherries, mixed fruit.

Then you have your textures – Jelly? Jam? Preserves? And do you prefer regular, low sugar, no sugar?

*NOTE: Some people think jelly is not vegan because it has gelatin. It doesn’t; that shaking, jiggling, bouncy effect comes from pectin, not gelatin. You’re more likely to find honey in these fruit spreads. It’s always a good idea to read the ingredients label.

Fresh Fruit

It’s not necessary, but you can, if you like, add fresh fruit to your PB&J. Bananas are the most popular. And apples are da bomb with peanut butter!

Bread

Traditionally, PB&Js are made with uninspiring white bread. As an adult, you can healthy that up a little by choosing whole wheat or a sprouted or seeded whole grain bread. My favorite is Dave’s Killer Bread – White Done Right Thin Sliced. It’s a lot like white bread, but organic, with five super grains (quinoa, spelt, barley, rye, millet, and barley).

Temperature

True peanut butter and jelly aficionados are particular about the sandwich temperature.

Mine must be room temperature.

I have a friend who likes their sandwich toasted and crunchy.

And, of course, there are some who like their sandwiches fried. This is commonly known as “the Elvis,” which is a bit of a misnomer since Elvis didn’t eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches – he ate peanut butter, bacon, and banana sandwiches. Most accounts say the jelly was missing.

I should ask Elvis for clarification sometime when I’m in Vegas, but I keep forgetting.

What is your ideal PB&J sandwich combo?

Tagged as: food, PB&J; sandwich, peanut butter and jelly, peanut-butter, Recipes, vegan, vegetarian

Categorised in: Sandwiches & Sandwich Fillings, Vegan Recipes