From Jam to Sweet Potatoes, Peanut Butter Can Handle Any Food Date You Throw at It
Well, it’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2 and we think it should be celebrated every day! But let’s be honest; the show’s real star here is this nutty butter. Don’t get us wrong, jelly is excellent, but let’s not pretend it’s the reason we’re all here.
Today, we’re celebrating all things peanut butter, from cookies to peanut butter cups to that jar you keep hidden in your pantry, so you don’t have to share.
Peanut butter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many ways, making it a popular food item worldwide. Its creamy texture and nutty flavor make it a great addition to sweet and savory dishes, and it can be paired with various foods–from the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly to the unique pairing of peanut butter and sweet potatoes. There are endless possibilities for incorporating peanut butter into your meals and snacks.
Grab a spoon, and let’s give peanut butter the recognition it deserves on this special day!
Here are the perfect items for peanut butter:
- Jelly or jam: Peanut butter and jelly/jam is a classic combination many people enjoy. The jelly or jam’s sweetness complements the peanut butter’s nutty flavor, creating a balanced and satisfying flavor.
- Bread: Simplify it on bread sans the jelly and it makes for a quick, easy snack or meal option.
- Apples or other fruits: Add it with apples, bananas, and berries–it adds protein and healthy fats. The sweetness of the fruit plus the nutty flavor is perfection.
- Bananas: Bananas and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. Enough said.
- Celery: Peanut butter and celery are classic snacks many people enjoy. The crunchiness of the celery pairs well with it and offers a healthy option for snacking.
- Crackers: Crackers are a convenient and easy snack option that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The crackers provide a neutral base for the nutty butter to shine and add crunchiness to the overall experience.
- Chocolate or chocolate chips: Peanut butter and chocolate is a popular combination that many people enjoy. The sweetness of the chocolate melds with the nuttiness for a taste-sensation of savory and sweet
- Honey: Honey adds sweetness to peanut butter, creating a delicious flavor. The natural sugars in honey also provide a quick source of energy.
- Ice cream: Add it to ice cream and it becomes a decadent treat many people enjoy. The creamy texture of the ice cream pairs well with it.
- Marshmallows: Many people enjoy peanut butter, which is a classic combination. The sweetness of the marshmallows complements the nutty flavor, creating a balanced tasty option.
- Pretzels: Pretzels are a convenient and easy snack option that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The saltiness of the pretzels pairs well with the nuttiness, creating a satisfying flavor combination.
- Yogurt: Mixed into yogurt to add protein and healthy fats, the nutty flavor complements the tanginess of the yogurt, creating a delicious and nutritious snack.
- Granola or cereal: It can be mixed into granola or cereal to add protein and healthy fats. The nutty flavor complements the sweetness of the granola or cereal, creating a satisfying flavor combination.
- Smoothies: It can be added to smoothies to add protein and healthy fats. The nutty flavor pairs well with the sweetness of the fruit, creating a delicious and nutritious snack.
- Carrots: Peanut butter and carrots are a unique combination many people enjoy. The sweetness of the carrots contrasts nicely with the nuttiness of the peanuts, creating a satisfying flavor combination.
- Sweet potatoes: It can be mixed into sweet potatoes to add protein and healthy fats. Its nutty flavor complements the sweet potatoes’ sweetness, creating a delicious and nutritious side dish.
- Rice cakes: Rice cakes are a convenient and easy snack option that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and pairs well with it.
Who knew you could make your own peanut butter? What a fun idea to do on a rainy day with the family.
Did you know?
Peanut butter and jelly was popularized during World War II! Known as PB&J’s, they became a standard meal for soldiers because they were easy to prepare, portable, and provided a good mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
After the war, it became a popular choice for school lunches and quick snacks, and it remains a beloved food item.
A little history:
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have become an iconic food item in the United States, but their history dates back to the early 1900s. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg first patented it in 1895; in the early 1900s, it became famous as a sandwich filling. At the same time, jelly and jam were becoming more widely available and affordable, thanks to advances in food preservation technology.
However, in the 1920s and 1930s, PB&J sandwiches took off. This was partly due to the rise of sliced bread, which made it easier to assemble sandwiches quickly and efficiently.
School lunch programs were introduced in the United States during this time, and PB&J sandwiches rapidly became famous for kids’ lunches.
During World War II, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches became even more popular, as they were a convenient and nutritious meal for soldiers on the go.
After the war, this delicious combo remained a beloved food item, becoming a cultural icon in the United States.
Lovingly referred to as “PB&J,” sandwiches are enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds and continue to be a staple of American cuisine.
