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To start, a rhyme I remember from childhood: “A peanut sat on the railroad track, his heart was all a-flutter. The 5:15 came roaring by … Choo choo! Peanut butter.”
Unless you suffer from Arachibutyrophobia (the fear of getting peanut butter stuck to roof of your mouth), read on to learn more about the yummy, creamy (sometimes crunchy) goodness that is peanut butter, a relatively high-fat food that also contains significant amounts of protein and carbohydrates.
• Fancy whipping up your own jar of the stuff? It takes 772 peanuts to make a 16.3 oz jar. Nearly half of the United States’ peanut crop is devoted to peanut butter production, and another 20% is used specifically for manufacturing candy.
• Ah, the ubiquitous childhood favorite (unless you suffer from a peanut allergy, of course), the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Did you know 96% of people put the peanut butter on first?
• C.H. Sumner was the first to introduce peanut butter to the world at the Universal Exposition of 1904 in St. Louis. He sold $705.11 of the treat at his concession stand, and Krema Products Company in Columbus, Ohio, began selling peanut butter in 1908. It remains the oldest peanut butter company still in operation today.
• There are many other uses for peanut butter besides as a spread. It can also be the basis for a simple outdoor bird feeder (coat a pine cone once with peanut butter, then again with birdseed), effective bait for mouse traps, and can help take gum out of hair. Also, you might find peanut butter being used to make … beer?
• Peanut butter and banana is a favored pairing, such as Elvis’ personal preference for the pair in a sandwich … fried, of course. In 2007, Reese’s came out with a special edition formulated peanut butter and banana crème cup for Elvis’ 30th anniversary. And of course, another famous example of peanut butter and bananas here.
• This all brings us to one of the most important influences on my formative years—The Peanut Butter Solution, a 1985 Canadian movie that is, trust me, amazing. Premise: boy gets so scared his hair falls out (obviously). Toupees won’t do, so luckily he’s visited by the ghost of his late grandmother who tells him to put peanut butter on his scalp. His hair grows quickly and to alarmingly lengths, and has a mind of its own. Basically a hairy monster attached to his head. See for yourself…
• No article about peanuts or peanut butter would be complete without the mention of Jimmy Carter, former President who grew up on a peanut farm. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the boyhood farm and the quaint town of Plains, Georgia (where President Carter and his wife Rosalyn still live part-time), but for those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, here is a sight to see. Also, the peanut butter ice cream is to die for.
You guys have been great at sharing yummy recipes, so how about some dealing with peanut butter? Or maybe we should just talk about The Peanut Butter Solution, and other strange movies we saw growing up.
Hungry for more? Venture into the Dietribes archive.
‘Dietribes’ appears every Wednesday. Food photos taken by Johanna Beyenbach. You might remember that name from our post about her colorful diet.
Comments (38)
Comment
I tried the PB and Banana Reese’s Cups when they were still around. They were kind of gross (surprise!) but I think that’s because of how difficult it is to artificially model the flavor of a banana.
posted by Ira on 5-21-2008 at 10:15 am
I’ve always loved peanut butter, and I used to have it ground fresh at a local healthfood store. One day we had my younger brother in tow–he was probably 7 or 8, and when the, er, product began to issue forth from the grinder, poor Stevie’s first thoughts were of his beloved labrador retriever. The combination of mirth and revulsion incapacitated him for the better part of an hour.
posted by Tom on 5-21-2008 at 10:31 am
I work at an ice cream place where we sell a lot of “Fat Elvis” milkshakes, which are composed of banana slices, peanut butter, milk, and either vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
I also once got a food magazine that had a whole section about cooking with peanut butter. I don’t remember most of it now, but I know one of the recipes used peanut butter as the main ingredient for a salad dressing.
posted by Jenny on 5-21-2008 at 10:37 am
Surprisingly, the PBJ is not an international favorite. I used to eat them on my way to work in London and the Brits looked at me like I was a complete mental. One disturbed chap actually said to me, “Peanut butter with jam?! You Yanks can truly be savage!” In his defence, I later found I had jelly on my cheek.
posted by Els on 5-21-2008 at 10:41 am
PB and Pickle Sandwich. Sounds bizarre, but tastes delicious…but you need sweet pickles, I don’t think that dill ones would work that well.
posted by James on 5-21-2008 at 10:45 am
Mmmmm, my favorite PB recipe is simple:
1 cup of the good stuff (creamy works best)
2/3 cup of butter, softened
1 box of Confectioners Sugar
1 tsp of vanilla
1/2 c chocolate chips
1 tsp oil
mix pb, butter, sugar and vanilla together until it reaches the consistancy of chocolate chip cookie dough (a stand mixer works best for this). Cover with plastic and put in the refrigerator to chill for an hour. When firm, take the dough out and form into 1″ balls. Melt the chips and oil together until smooth and dip the tops of the pb balls in.
Enjoy! (These should be stored in the refridge)
posted by k on 5-21-2008 at 10:45 am
I used to eat peanut butter off a tablespoon for a snack when I was a kid, but now the stuff makes me cringe every morning when I make my kid’s sandwich. Still, I think that next time said kid begs for a treat, I’ll give her a spoonful of peanut butter with a dollop of chocolate syrup on it. Then I can have all the cookies to myself…
BTW - Wierd movies from my childhood:
The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
and the japanimation Puss in Boots - which is so awesome I got it on eBay. My kid is insane for it, and she watches it at least once a week!
posted by Marion on 5-21-2008 at 10:50 am
My favorite breakfast sandwich, PB and Bacon on toast. For a twist, I occasionally add banana to the PBB.
posted by Tim on 5-21-2008 at 10:52 am
I’ve seen The Peanut Butter Solution! I didn’t recognize the title but as soon as I started reading the desription I knew what it was immediately. I remember enoying it as a kid.
posted by Cassandra on 5-21-2008 at 11:05 am
We bought organic peanut butter (trying to be environmentally conscious) and it was awful. I figured out that it was because regular peanut butter has ingredients like salt and molasses, whereas this stuff was just peanuts. It stuck to the roof of your mouth like crazy, and had to be kept in the fridge to keep it semi-solid. The only way to make it edible was to eat it with honey, which is actually a pretty tasty combination for toast or sandwiches.
posted by gibson8or on 5-21-2008 at 11:06 am
A new healthy treat - peanut butter bean dip. I food process a can of drained and rinsed cannelini beans until smooth and add a few tablespoons of peanut butter. Great for dipping celery, as you get that peanut butter taste, but with a ton of fiber and protein. Might sound weird, but the beans themselves have very little taste and are a great medium for experimenting with other flavors - like peanut butter!
posted by Beth on 5-21-2008 at 11:09 am
The Peanut Butter Solution! When you described it, I suddenly remember it, I loved that movie. Wow, talk about taking me back!
I love peanut butter, honey, banana and raisins on toast for breakfast. you only need one and you’re stuffed until lunch. you can also make great thai satay sauce with peanut butter.
posted by jenny on 5-21-2008 at 11:19 am
AHHHH! The Peanut Butter Solution! There were so many times that I thought my sister and I were the only ones who’d seen it. Then we bought it last year to torture others with.
Yikes.
posted by Sarah on 5-21-2008 at 11:28 am
Okay, since no one else has, I’ll admit it. I am one of those people that puts the peanut butter on first. And, if I want extra jelly (or I’m really concerned about the bread getting jelly-logged, I’ll actually coat both halves of the sandwich — coating both halves creates a barrier so that when you slap on extra jelly, it doesn’t soak through the bread and leave a soggy sandwich.
I am also a giant fan of grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (with or without extra jelly and peanut butter). Mmmmm….
And, last night I baked peanut butter cupcakes. Yay.
posted by ACute Angle on 5-21-2008 at 11:35 am
What about Evlis’ favorite sandwich, the Fools’ Gold Loaf? A hollowed out loaf of french bread with a jar of peanut butter on one side, a jar of jelly on the other, and bacon in the middle?
* One entire loaf of italian bread is coated with two tablespoons of softened butter.
* The bread is placed in a 350 degree (F) oven for approximately fifteen minutes or until loaf is browned.
* The loaf is then halved along its length on one side.
* The soft inside of the loaf is scraped away to allow room for the filling.
* One whole jar of creamy peanut butter, one jar of grape jelly, and a pound of lean bacon, fried crispy and still warm, are layered inside the loaf.
posted by David on 5-21-2008 at 11:35 am
1 cup peanut butter, no nuts
1/2 cup Karo white syrup
2 tbsp grape jelly
4 slices of toast
mix, spread, enjoy.
posted by Johnny Cat on 5-21-2008 at 11:36 am
There is a restaurant, in Marina del Rey California called 26 Beach, that serves a Peanut Butter and Jelly Hamburger. It is jsut smooth peanut butter, strawberry jelly, and a hamburger patty served on a wheat bun.
I know it sounds gross, but the smoothness of the peanut butter and the sweetness of the jelly really compliment the beef.
I eat them now at home, it really does taste great.
posted by Bethany on 5-21-2008 at 12:10 pm
For you poor college kids out there, when you make your ramen, pour out 2/3 of the water before you add the spice packet, then add a tablespoon of pb while the noodles are still hot and tah-dah, you have instant thai noodles.
posted by Jenny on 5-21-2008 at 12:20 pm
OMG! Thank you! Thank you for reminding me of The Peanut Butter Solution! I loved that movie. I wonder if it’s on Netflix…
posted by Amanda on 5-21-2008 at 12:49 pm
No joke..My dad swears that Peanut Butter cures the hiccups. I’ve tried it several times and it’s worked. (Could be because I was brainwashed my entire childhood to think it was supposed to work).
pretzels dipped in PB with chocolate syrup - can’t beat it.
posted by Christian on 5-21-2008 at 1:46 pm
I haven’t thought of The Peanut Butter Solution since I was a latchkey kid; my childhood just came rushing back to me. Thanks for the memories, early Disney Channel programming!
posted by Megan on 5-21-2008 at 1:52 pm
Just this morning I had a chocolate chip eggo waffle with peanut butter spread on top. It makes a great quick breakfast.
I haven’t had PB&J in ages. My favorite is PB and honey.
@Jenny: I am SO trying that next time I make rice noodles. Thanks!
posted by heather on 5-21-2008 at 1:53 pm
I used to LOVE PB on plain (lightly salted?) rice cakes for breakfast back in middle school. I should bring that back!
posted by Kelly J on 5-21-2008 at 2:08 pm
Ack, I’ve blocked most of my memories of that movie because it freaked me out so much as a child. I always thought it was based on a Roald Dahl book…but can find no confirmation of this theory online right now. Oh well.
posted by frodopal on 5-21-2008 at 2:33 pm
I like my peanut butter in cookie form. My mom used to make the best ones.
posted by Olivia on 5-21-2008 at 2:59 pm
I have a friend who hates peanut butter because his mom made PB&J sandwiches so much when he was little.
I second the person who mentioned the Ramen noodles - I like to add peanut butter and a little hot sauce to mine (with or without the spice packet). I also love PB with bacon.
Two combos you didn’t mention - peanut butter and pickles (a pregnant woman’s favorite, right?) and peanut butter and honey (especially good with churned honey on a sandwich)
Finally, there’s a restaurant in NYC called Peanut Butter & Co that sells different kinds of PB&J sandwiches plus cookies, smoothies, and tons of different varieties/flavors of PB.
posted by CB on 5-21-2008 at 3:23 pm
What about George Washington Carver? The article’s last paragraph says “No article about peanuts or peanut butter would be complete without the mention of Jimmy Carter”. Uh, George Washington Carver was the peanut MASTER before Jimmy Carter was even a glint in the eyes of James and Bessie Carter. He may not have invented Peanut Butter, but he was a peanut legend.
posted by Ian on 5-21-2008 at 3:32 pm
Ya know, some people actually prefer PB in it’s unaltered state — plain and on a spoon. A gob of creamy on a spoon has served as the breakfast of non-champions for me. Jelly. Bah.
posted by GOL on 5-21-2008 at 4:36 pm
Kudos to Ian for catching the George Washington Carver connection. That was my first thought. I have a peanut butter story, too. Back in the 70s I was struggling to make ends meet. My best friend had to work on Thanksgiving so couldn’t be with his family. After he got off work we pooled our resources for a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter and grilled open faced peanut butter sandwiches for Thanksgiving dinner. It was the best Thanksgiving I ever had.
posted by Judy on 5-21-2008 at 6:59 pm
We like the natural peanut butter. Yes, it has to be stirred to mix in the oil that collects on the top, but now that I’m used to it, I can’t stand the taste of brands that use shortening to stablize their product. Yuck.
By the way, have you heard of Plumpy’nut? It’s a ready to use theraputic food (RUFT) made from peanut paste, dried milk, oil and vitamins, used as a treatment for emergency malnutrition cases.
posted by Pam on 5-21-2008 at 7:00 pm
Last summer I ate granny smith apples and peanut butter atleast once a week for lunch. I love peanut butter but I can’t eat it for breakfast. I just can’t stand it right after I’ve gotten up. Peanut butter on rice cakes is really good. I haven’t had that in ages. This one has to be my favorite dietribes.
posted by Claire on 5-21-2008 at 8:39 pm
Dip chocolate graham crackers in peanut butter. Yum. I also like my sandwiches with just PB and butter. The butter cuts the stickiness of the PB without overwhelming the flavor.
The Peanut Butter Solution looks familiar, kind of like an old dream. At first it reminded me of the movie with the mechanical grandmother - does anyone remember what that was?
posted by Jill on 5-21-2008 at 10:39 pm
Hey Jill!
You’re thinking of the 100th Twilight Zone episode based on Ray Bradbury’s really great short story, “I Sing the Body Electric” Also - the title “I Sing the Body Electric” is actually from a poem by Walt Whitman in Leaves of Grass. And, on youtube you can watch a clip from the movie Fame where they sing and dance to a musical version of the poem.
ain’t trivia fun?
cheers!
posted by Marion on 5-21-2008 at 11:42 pm
Where is the love for the chunky peanut butter? Maybe I’m a rebel, but I am a HUGE fan of the texture of chunky PB, I would take that over the smooth stuff any day of the week. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the salt.
One of my favorite ways to eat PB is to stir fry some veggies, add some cooked mung bean noodles and throw in a half jar of peanut butter, then mix. When the delicious mix is served in a bowl, top with a pretty swirl of Sirracha and some soy sauce. It is by far the best way to eat your veggies!
Damn, now I’m hungry.
posted by Lizzy on 5-22-2008 at 2:25 am
What about peanut butter and Oreos? My mom used to make those for my brothers and I and we called them Pe-oreos because we lived in Peoria, Illinois!
I also really love peanut butter and salami together! It sounds disgusting, and people get really grossed out when I mention it, but it really is great! It works on a sandwich or just spreading peanut butter on a slice of salami and rolling it up.
posted by Bethany on 5-22-2008 at 2:50 am
The Peanut Butter Solution kinda scared me when I was little, but I’ve been meaning to rewatch it. Thanks for the reminder!
Peanut butter on celery is fantastic too.
Also, peanut butter on toast.
posted by Celeste M. on 5-22-2008 at 4:18 am
I am a peanut butter fiend! I cannot resist the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Peanut butter pie, chocolate peanut butter ice cream, Reese’s (or course)…you name it.
What about “It’s Peanut Butter Jelly Time”? Man, that song sticks in your head worse than peanut butter sticks to the roof of your mouth!
posted by Krie on 5-22-2008 at 12:37 pm
Oh my god, I forgot about that movie until now! It was so creepy! I used to watch it all the time!
posted by emily on 5-28-2008 at 1:05 pm