Peanut Butter—Not Just For Kids

Once upon a time when I was very young my Uncle Tom took me on a walk through the woods beyond his backyard. I pointed to a tall, slender tree and asked him what kind it was. He replied, “A peanut tree.” I was a senior in high school before I learned peanuts grew underground. I will believe anything about the glorious peanut—even people who make peanut and butter and tomato sandwiches. Read on.

How To Grill A Sandwich

Heat your skillet to medium-hot. Spread one side of each slice of bread with butter. Or use cooking spray on the skillet. Spread the peanut butter with combinations on the inside. Grill each side until bread is slightly brown or the gooey stuff inside spills out. In a hurry? Use toast.

Combinations: Bread can be grilled, toasted, or fresh from the bag

*I’ll let you in on a little secret here. Slice the onion very thin. Heat in skillet until warm and limp. Use toast. Spread the peanut butter when the toast is still warm so it melts a little. Place onions on top. Cut into squares or triangles.

Onions won’t replace grape jelly. But it works as a surprise appetizer—a sure conversation starter: “What is this stuff? It’s good.”

Viva Peanut Butter

Elvis Presley and I grew up in different ages. If he had been my son I would have told him, “Here’s fifty cents. Go get a haircut.” When I learned that the King liked peanut butter and banana sandwiches, I would have said, “Hey, that’s my boy.”

Here’s his recipe from the book Are You Hungry Tonight?

In a small bowl mash one small banana (it should be a little brown). Toast the bread lightly. Spread peanut butter on one piece of toast and the mashed banana on the other. Grill the sandwich in melted butter until each side is golden brown.

Don’t get stuck with grape jelly. Try anything once—pineapple, raspberry, apple, strawberry, etc.

Not Just For Sandwiches

I grew up on Amos ‘n’ Andy, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis, and peanut butter and jelly.

You can’t go wrong with peanut butter. Experiment. I thought I was the first to put it on ice cream. That’s been done for years. I am among the first to use a big spoonful in my grits. Come up with some of your own recipes. Someday, I am going to put peanut butter in my deviled eggs—probably when my in-laws visit. They’ll eat anything.

Be careful! Peanut butter is not a diet food; it is a healthy food filled with protein and fun-sweet calories.

Now You Know

• Creamy peanut butter can be used to remove chewing gum from clothes and hair.
• 96% of peanut butter and jelly sandwich makers spread the peanut butter first.
• It sticks to your mouth because its high protein content absorbs moisture.

Click here for some of my favorite combos!