Forget using peanut butter in kids' lunch boxes this week. We have five ideas for the nutty spread beyond PB&J sandwiches.
Granola bars: Homemade granola bars are simple to make and convenient to have on hand for on-the-go cravings or less sinful desserts. This one is especially filling, with protein from the peanut butter and lots of fiber from oats. To make: In a large bowl, mix 3 cups old-fashioned oats, ½ cup chopped walnuts and ½ cup ground flaxseed. In saucepan, heat 1 cup peanut butter and ½ cup maple syrup until smooth, then stir into oat mixture. Press into 9- by 13-inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until set. Recipe from First.
Peanut butter pie: This sweet yet savory pie recipe will trick your senses into thinking it's almost fall. Yes, it's a splurge, but so worth it. To make, buy a 9-inch graham cracker crust from the store or make your favorite recipe at home. For the filling, start by beating 8 ounces cream cheese and ¾ cup confectioners' sugar together until smooth. Add ½ cup crunchy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons milk and ½ cup chopped roasted peanuts and mix well. Fold 2 cups heavy cream, whipped until it's thick, into the mixture. Pour into prepared crust. Place the pie in the refrigerator and chill completely, about 2 hours; you don't need to bake this pie. This recipe makes about 8 servings, which are best garnished with some chopped peanuts and a dollop of chocolate sauce or whipped cream. Recipe adapted from "New New Orleans Cooking Cookbook" by Emeril Lagasse.
Peanut butter dip: A lower-calorie snack option than just eating peanut butter straight from the jar, this dip goes great with graham crackers and apple slices. To make, mix a 6-ounce container of plain Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, a few drops of vanilla extract and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
Peanut sauce: Peanut butter (or almond butter) makes a convenient base for Asian salad dressing or stir-fry sauces. Here's how to make a dressing that works in either hot noodle bowls or cold Thai salads. In a bowl, combine ¼ cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds. Whisk until combined and smooth; thin it out with 1 or 2 tablespoons water if you'd like. Recipe adapted from lovefoodeat.com.
Peanut butter smoothie: Talk about a quick way to start your day with loads of protein: This smoothie combines peanut butter and banana, a classic (and healthy!) combination for breakfast or a late-afternoon treat. Oh, and there's chocolate in there, too. To make, combine in a blender 2 peeled, frozen bananas, 1 cup plain or vanilla almond milk (regular milk works fine, too), ¾ cup ice, ¼ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend until smooth. Recipe from cookingclassy.com.
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