The Perfect PB&J

It's a chilly December morning in Northern Minnesota, snowflakes are swirling and smells of freshly ground espresso fill my parents quaint kitchen.

When going back to visit my parents in their small town, I drive home fantasizing about my favorite dishes made by parents. For my mother, it's her chilaquiles. And my dad... Well, my dad makes some of the most interesting and irresistible dishes (reminder, I grew up eating bone marrow on weekdays)... I want not his 11 hour smoked brisket, not his garlic shrimp, not even his famous mushroom stroganoff... but a simple: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.

Really, A Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich?

HA - I know... I mean 4-year-olds love these things. When I'm eating on my own, I stay clear of bread, refined sugar, and dairy. But when I come to my parents, these rules somehow fly out the window and I end up in a gluttonous feasting frenzy. For the record, I classify myself as a decent cook and a woman with an adventurous palate. I know how to work with flavors, cook pasta and make a sauce from scratch... but by god, I cannot make a damn peanut butter & jelly sandwich to save my life.

Big. Bold. And Butterful.

Is there butter added? YOU BETCHYA! The trick? Melt your butter first, so then you actually have no idea how much you putting on and because it's in liquid state... that makes it automatically healthier ;) Now before I get too ahead of myself, let's talk about the toasting of the bread. My dad uses English Muffin Bread. Toasting may seem simple, but it's not! It has to be just the right amount of golden where the butter can soak through the bread. If you over toast your bread, you're basically eating a peanut butter and jelly crouton... and that's weird. Don't do that. The bread must be toasted to a perfect state that's golden BUT NOT TOO golden.

Then, the smooth Peter Pan (yes, Peter Pan) peanut butter is spread with no care of calorie intake, hugging each corner tightly. The jam is homemade by my mother. The flavor is raspberry, which compliments the savory layer of peanut butter. Again, adding just the right amount to balance out the smooth peanut butter. It's very important to get the ratios correct, you want your taste buds to dance. Somehow, my dad gets the ratios right each and every time! I'm not sure how he does it. That's why I cannot provide any measured data for you. (Hint: Ingredients are listed below).

Then, the finale...

Think of any movie where the hero is about to save the day. The loud triumphant music starts to play as my dad picks up the two pieces of perfectly toasted toast... and in slow motion presses them together. The part where the hero realizes he/she has succeeded, the over abundant portions of PB&J surplus out of the sandwich causing all the citizens to start cheering. The triumphant music comes to an end as he cuts the sandwich into fours and places it in front of me. He did it, and the happy credits begin to roll.

The End.

That's all from me. Now go make yourself a PB&J.

-Eatz

What'z in it?

- Peter Pan Peanut Butter

- Homemade Raspberry Jam

- Unsalted Butter

- English Muffin Bread