Peanut butter and jam (or jelly if we're being American). Two things that I like separately but that just don't seem like they should be on the same piece of bread ! I couldn't resist buying a jar of real American Smucker's Goober Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jelly for a taste - it's been on my gastronomical bucket list for a while so it would be rude not to !
It looks very pretty in the jar, with the jelly and the peanut butter in their separate segments. It's almost a shame to squish it all together on the bread but it's got to be done. So, what does it taste like? Well, it's not horrible but it's not amazing either. It really does taste like eating a spoonful of peanut butter (albeit less salty and less crunchy than the UK version I usually buy) and jam at the same time.
I couldn't even convince the rest of the Madhouse family to have a taste so I decided to make up some PBJ cookies to use up some of the jar. To keep in with the American theme, I used my measuring cups instead of the scales.
PBJ Cookies
ingredients :
1/2 cup peanut butter and jelly
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1tsp baking powder
1/4 cup oats
pinch of salt
Beat together the peanut butter and butter/margarine with a wooden spoon. I opted for margarine so it would be easier to mix and also slightly healthier, but the cookies were a bit dry and bland so I think butter would have given them a richer taste.
Mix in the remaining ingredients.
Dollop tablespoons of the mixture onto a greased baking sheet or a sheet of foil on a baking sheet. I expected them to flatten out during cooking but they didn't, so you might want to shape them a bit before putting them in the oven.
Bake at 180° for 15 minutes. They're not bad but they're a bit bland so I think they'd be nicer with some extra ingredients - maybe a glug of maple syrup or some chocolate chips. Using butter instead of margarine should give them a richer flavour too.
Fancy trying out some other US recipes? How about American Southern Fried Chicken with Wedges & Coleslaw, Hoppin' John & Collards (South Carolina), Mac & Cheese with Spinach and Bacon, New York Baked Cheesecake, Parmesan Chicken, Brownie Cookies and Reuben Sandwich ?
Though it is tempting to try something different :- especially food. It is also rather anxiety provoking :- What if I don't like it, I don't want to offend the cook/chef, what if I don't like it, what if I feel sick. Then we often opt for the safe option we know our physical system will accept with no adverse effects / affects. Seems it is an inbuilt safety mechanism. Probably why sharing a little bit of food socially with others allows and encourages us to have variety, experiment etc. As we feel safe in that others are eating the food with no adverse effects. The food is unlikely to be wasted as shared etc. Whilst we have fun chit chatting, socialising etc.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
That's an interesting take on it ! I always love trying out new recipes and exotic cuisine, even if it is someties a bit hit and miss !
ReplyDeleteThe cookies sound delicious, though I eat far too much peanut butter as it is!
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