The Many Ways to Eat Peanut Butter

This is dedicated to all those peanut butter fanatics out there. You know who you are. I considered writing an article on the latest from peanut butter addicts anonymous ... but I couldn't stand the pressure anymore.

Peanut butter is a pantry staple for many American homes. It lasts forever, it’s easy to eat, and kids love it. I still haven’t outgrown a good PB&J. Face it, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are just classic. Although some fun-hating adults complain that it is high in fat and calories, peanut butter in moderation is actually very nutritious. It is a good source of protein, dietary fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin B3 (niacin). Plus, most of the fat content is of the unsaturated kind, which improves your cholesterol levels. Some people are very concerned about their cholesterol levels. Personally, I have (and I may be admitting an embarrassing level of ignorance here) no idea what cholesterol is or what level of cholesterol is desirable (I mean, first level, basement, what?), but I just thought you'd might like to know.

When I was in high school, my family did the whole South Beach Diet thing. There were good things and bad things about that, but one of the foods that we were allowed to eat was peanut butter. I can’t remember if it started with South Beach or with the commencement of high school geometry and chemistry, but I became addicted to peanut butter. Maybe it was just my version of comfort food. I remember cold winter afternoons in the Colorado mountains: me in the spider-infested basement with a heavy textbook, then me in the kitchen with the jar of peanut butter. Somehow, I invented new ways to eat peanut butter. We all know the two main peanut butter foods: peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and ants-on-a-log (celery sticks covered in peanut butter and then raisins). But the real possibilities of eating peanut butter are endless.

Oatmeal makes a hearty breakfast, but plain old oatmeal everyday can get rather bland. Add some peanut butter and maybe a little sugar after the oatmeal is cooked. The peanut butter adds some extra protein to make a more balanced meal.

Weird, I know. But, if you think about it, peanut butter and chocolate is a great combination. Stir a spoonful of peanut butter into your mug of hot cocoa until the peanut butter melts.

Everyone loves to eat a messy melty s’mores at a cookout or a bonfire. Spread a little peanut butter on the graham cracker below the piece of chocolate. Add marshmallows and devour. 

People say that Elvis’s favorite sandwich was fried peanut butter and banana. Spread the outsides of two pieces of bread with butter. Spread the insides with peanut butter. Place banana circles inside the sandwich between the peanut butter sides. Fry on the stove like you would a grilled cheese sandwich.

Speaking of banana and peanut butter together, try eating some banana bread spread with peanut butter instead of butter or cream cheese.

A great snack that kids might enjoy consists of vanilla wafers spread with peanut butter and topped with bananas.

Oreos dipped into the peanut butter jar is a perfect way to pretend that dessert can be healthy. 

If you really want to be healthy, add apples to your peanut butter. This is a great, hearty snack to keep you going.

My favorite sandwich is one I made up when I was a little girl. Spread two pieces of bread with peanut butter and line with small pretzel sticks. I don’t know anyone other than myself who’s ever eaten this sandwich, but trust me, it's really good.

Mix 2 cups sugar, 1 stick of butter, 1/2 cup canned evaporated milk, and 3 tablespoons cocoa in a saucepan. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Add 3 cups quick-cooking oats and 1/2 cup Peanut Butter. Mix and drop on waxed paped in spoonfuls. Let stand until set. Makes 2-3 dozen cookies.