Peanut Butter

Food of the gods, guilty pleasure and hearty snack all in one. What could be better? My latest craze is peanut butter on crackers. First it was the Carr's table water crackers I had in the cabinet, then it was the stale Carr's table water crackers I had in the cabinet, then it was olive bread - a very poor choice made in a moment of quiet desperation. As my addiction to peanut butter has grown - surprising, since it is a food I despised as a child and for most of my adult life - I have graduated to new levels of adoration.

This week, I bought a cracker specifically for my peanut butter.

I chose the humble Ritz (alas, in a nod to a slowing metabolism, the low-fat variety). My hypothesis is that the Ritz is, quite possibly, the best peanut butter vehicle ever made. But lest you think me unscientific, I plan to approach this quest with passion (of course), determination (yes, yes) and - most important - precision. I will be testing a variety of peanut butter delivery systems over the course of the next few months in an attempt to find THE BEST.

As for the best peanut butter, I have to say that I prefer another humble vestige of Americana, Skippy's Super Chunk. I bought it for a recipe that specified it ("I can't believe it's peanut butter" from Diane Morgan's Delicious Dips) and it is my favorite. I have tried those expensive organic all-natural peanut butters and although they are probably moderately better for me, I dislike having to mix the oil back into the peanut butter: (a) it's gross (b) forget getting the ratio right - I always end up with very dry spoonfuls at the end (c) who wants to work at their peanut butter? Isn't that the point of processed foods?

Yesterday I scraped up a dollop of PB that had spilled on the kitchen counter and licked it off my finger. To what depths might I sink before this is over?

Comments

[sara]

I was inspired by this and my new favorite snack (and even dinner one night) was peanut butter slathered alternatingly on a granny smith and ritz. I have to say i haven't had the skippy-i am usually a peter pan girl, and i went for the full fat ritz. yum.

[cv]

>>>I will be testing a variety of peanut butter delivery systems over the course of the next few months in an attempt to find THE BEST.<<<

Ah, dear Food Muser....test away -I'll look forward to your findings- but the best vehicle for PB delivery was, is, and always will be.....ones finger :-) Think about it....always on hand (forgive the pun), never stale, and no dishes or utencils to clean up!

[Mom]

As you know, the only grounds for divorce in our household is running out of peanut butter! So far (35 years in July), there's ALWAYS been a jar in the pantry---the large size!

[Karen]

I think I'm addicted to peanut butter and celery. It is so delicious and the perfect combo. I started a work out routine in January and watching what I eat. Peanut Butter keeps me from getting hungry...I eat it in the morning with celery sticks and I love it. I have been buying the natural peanut butter, it has less sugar. Just wanted to share this with you. I've lost 22 lbs. since January and this is a great source of protein that has helped me accomplish this.

[Scott Fisher]

I also like peanut butter much more now than I did as a child. Yummy.

Apparantly it's also surprisingly good for you according to articles like this http://www.getwiththeprogram.org/pb.html or this http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4194275.stm .

Yeah, it has a lot of fat, but it's mostly the "good kind" and it has medium levels of antioxidents (apparantly even more when peanuts were roasted).

I still find the classic PB&J sandwich a good way to go. I agree with putting it on ritz crackers, celery or even saltine crackers. Of course you need to drink lots of water or beverage with it to keep it from sticking in your mouth.

Any thoughts on the ideal liquid to go with peanut butter?

[Catherine]

Scott -- for my money, it's OJ.