For many of us, life with peanut butter usually doesn’t go much beyond spreading it on white or whole wheat bread either by itself or with grape jelly and calling it lunch.
But there are far more creative ways of using peanut butter, which can actually be pretty good for you if you are a discriminating buyer and avoid certain brands that are high in sugar or laden with hydrogenated fats.
For those who tend to make quick meals on the fly or rely a lot on “snack meals,” peanut butter, with its many uses really should be a staple in their kitchen. It’s also an obvious choice for vegetarians, as peanuts are a good source of protein.
Compared to other sources of protein, peanut butter is relatively inexpensive and has a long shelf life, and many varieties require no refrigeration.
Here are a few suggestions to try and enjoy:
PB&J Spin
This is a pretty simple idea. Just take your basic peanut butter and jelly sandwich and try it with some different breads or different fruit preserves such as blueberry, pomegranate, or lime preserve.
Beyond the BLT
Take your traditional BLT but omit the mayonnaise and substitute peanut butter. Peanut butter actually goes surprisingly well with bacon. If you’re a vegetarian, simply omit the bacon.
PB Ramen Satay
While making ramen noodles, add a tablespoon of peanut butter when adding the flavouring. Mix it in thoroughly, and you'll have given the noodles a satay flair.
PB Veggie Rolls
Take some large leaf vegetables such as green, red, or Napa cabbage, or romaine or red-leaf lettuce, spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the leaf and roll it up. The stickiness of the peanut butter holds it together. Try adding a little honey, molasses, or hot sauce to the peanut butter for extra flavour. It’s like a salad you can pick up and eat with your hands.
PB Fruit/Veggie/Snack Dip
Instead of onion or ranch dip for a veggie tray or caramel for sliced fruit, just use peanut butter as the dip for carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, apples , pears, pretzels, or chocolate.
The Elvis PB
Elvis Presley was known to enjoy a sandwich consisting of peanut butter, bacon, and bananas. Yum!
PB Smoothie
Blend two tablespoons of peanut butter with a half cup vanilla yogurt and a cup of milk (dairy, almond, or soy).
