Peanut Butter Jelly

Two Awesome Recipes to Up Your PB&J Game

I have put together two fun recipes to pump up your PB&J jam. These are not your standard slap-together-and-eat-over-the-kitchen-sink varieties, but worth the extra effort if you have time.

Not quite ready for ultimate status? You can level up your PB&J by grilling it (or pan-frying, for you literal types out there), adding some crunchy potato chips or fresh fruit into the fold, or of course, you can always add a bit of chocolate! There are also lots of fun flavored peanut butters out there to play with. No matter what, you may want to grab a few extra napkins. And maybe a spoon …

Ultimate PB&J Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole grain bread or cinnamon bread, lightly toasted
• 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter o 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 banana, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. strawberry jam
• 2 strawberries, sliced
• 1 Tbsp. peanuts, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter, and cinnamon. Set aside.

  2. In a small pan over medium heat, melt the coconut oil. Place bananas in pan, sprinkle with brown sugar and cook until golden brown and sugar caramelizes.

  3. On one slice of bread, spread the peanut butter and chopped peanuts. Top with the cooked bananas and any caramel sauce that was made.

  4. On the other slice of bread spread the jam and top with strawberry slices.

  5. Carefully put the two slices together, cut in half and enjoy!

Elvis’ PB&J

Here we take Elvis’ favorite sandwich and turn it up a notch!

Ingredients

• 2 slices white bread
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. peanut butter (creamy)
• 1 banana, mashed
• 2 Tbsp. jam
• 2-3 slices bacon (optional**)

Instructions

  1. Place 2 pieces of white bread in the toaster on a light setting.

  2. Heat skillet over medium heat with 2 Tbsp. butter.

  3. While the bread is toasting, in a small bowl, using a fork mash the ripe banana until it reaches a smooth consistency.

  4. Using a knife spread peanut butter on one side, 2 Tbsp. of jam on the other, topping 1 side with the mashed banana. Optional: add 2-3 slices of crispy bacon.***

  5. Place 1 slice of bread on top of the other forming a sandwich.

  6. Place sandwich in hot skillet browning each side, flipping with a spatula, about 2 minutes per side. Take out of skillet, slice on a diagonal and serve on a plate.

** Okay the bacon is not actually optional.
*** Ditto.

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Lindsay Smith

Lindsay Smith is the Co-op's Food Educator. Contact her at lindsaysmith@coopfoodstore.com.