Jif Peanut Butter is hosting a Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest. One of the contestants, Terry, invited the shmoo and I to try out her daughter Julie's creation, the Texas Roll 'Em Up: a tortilla (I used whole wheat) spread with peanut butter and filled with a black bean-corn-salsa mixture.It's a surprising combination, but Terry says "it makes a good lunch box sandwich, it packs well. Julie takes it to school everyday now. It is her favorite sandwich...We usually eat it without the guacamole and sour cream." I appreciated the fact that, unlike most of the contestants, this sandwich included a nice serving of vegetables (corn, tomato salsa) along with a hearty amount of vegan protein (nut butter and beans).
I packed the Roll 'Em Up with jicama stars, Durritas (store-bought tortilla chips with a "cheezy" topping from Ultimate Uncheese),
organic purple grapes, and Dark Chocolate Love Treats.Verdict: Shmoo thought the taste of peanut butter mixed with beans and salsa was a bit odd, but it only took a couple bites to adapt. We all appreciated how the creamy, unctuous quality of the nut butter stood in for the cheese you would typically find in a Southwestern wrap. Leftover bean-corn-salsa mix makes a great salad served on a bed of greens with diced avocado. 4 stars.
P.S. The Texas Roll 'Em Up is one of ten finalists that you can vote for online, so head over to Jif to check out all the entries and pick a favorite. Many of the entries are fun, creative and vegan-friendly. Voting ends tomorrow, so vote fast!
P.P.S. Never, never, ever would I suggest actually using Jif Peanut Butter. Stick with all-natural nut butters made without added shortening, sugar, and salt.
18 comments:
How fun! We'll try that tomorrow. Beans and nut butter are my 2nd son's fav foods but I never thought of combining them!
Jennifer, do you have a post or site you could direct me to regarding milk 'replacements'? As in, soy, rice etc milks? My 1st son has been deemed 'sensative' to dairy, soy & gluten. Not allergic, but these foods, we think, contribute to his asthma and hyperactivity. Your blog and cookbook have really changed our lives in so many ways-thank you!!!
What an interesting idea for a sandwich. I've been wanting to try my hand at a "savory" peanut butter sandwich - I may give this one a shot!
As a peanut butter fanatic, I thought I'd let you know that Peanut Butter Co. makes AMAZING (AND natural, hydgregonated oil-free, no-added-sugar) peanut butters. They make one called The Heat is On which is peanut butter blended with firey spices, and might work well on this southwestern roll sandwich.. or maybe a Thai p.b. sandwich(?!)
You're sure quick on the draw with those post script disclaimers! :-) I'll have to check them out... I have a new favorite peanut butter:
Once Again Nut Butter
Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
It's got sugar, salt and organic palm oil palm-oil to give it that skippy taste. It's just not as salty--but the kids don't mind, so all the better. :-)
(Oh, and it comes in a glass jar!)
Yumm this sounds deelish. Also my mom used to fry up and stuff peanut butter in the corn tortillas that didn't get used when we had tacos for dinner. They had the potential to be greasy, but oh were they good! Corn tortillas might work on the Roll'em too.
That wrap sounds strangely delicious! :D Will have to try this out for lunch one day this week. I adore the extra little touches you put into your son's lunches. I'm not a huge fan of jicama, but if it were cut into cute little stars, I am sure I couldn't resist. :)
I *love* that you would never actually use Jif!!! This blog is awesome!
I was initially surprised to see that you appeared to be endorsing Jif peanut butter, but I laughed when I got to the P.P.S at the end! I should have known you would go with the all natural stuff!!!
I should give it a try when I fiind a good peanut butter!
That is one pb combo I never would have thought of. Maybe one day I will have the courage to try it.
you can add a voting poll to your site like I have if that is something you are interested in. I use this one form
http://www.webpollcentral.com
it is free and easy to add to the margin of your site
The wrap sounds fantastic! I have been trying new and creative ways of using peanut butter since getting the book Peanut Butter Planet by Robin Robertson. I highly recommend it! I'm pretty sure it will be reviewed in the new VegNews.
Bah ha haaa haaa! "Never, never, ever would I suggest actually using Jif Peanut Butter." That's great :D
Yes, I had to include a disclaimer -- processed peanut butter is nasty stuff!! Around here we call it "peanut-flavored shortening". But despite that, some of the contest ideas were so fun and creative and easy to veganize, I couldn't resist linking to it. If you make the sandwiches with all-natural nut butter they'll be great.
I agree with Denise - this seems like a great combination when you think about it from an African-inspired standpoint.
Although I agree that a natural peanut butter is better, I happen to really like the taste of Jif - I guess it's something I developed a taste for! Not everyone had a mom like you, Jenniferschmoo, but I'm thankful for your blog to help moms and non-moms in need of healthy vegan advice. kudos!
I felt my eye twitch until I read your P.P.S. Costco has a great organic peanut butter, I have friends who often have me pick them up a jar or four when I go.
As is everyone, I'm glad you're not endorsing Jif :P
Sounds like an interesting new recipe. thank you to you and terry for sharing!!
Teddy
I just tried this for lunch today, and it was great! Now I have to see what else in my kitchen goes with peanut butter.
(This is in response to an anonymous comment that referred to Jif peanut butter as being better than “most” of the foods I picture in my lunches…which has disappeared, but I still wanted to respond.)
True, I do use vegan puff pastry for ONE recipe that I have made twice in the last 2 years. Peanut butter, on the other hand, is something that many kids eat EVERY SINGLE DAY as a source of protein and nourishment. Why use something processed when a natural alternative that is just as good is right there next to it? There are great trans fat-free, all natural, salt- and sugar-free peanut butters easily available in most every store. The same cannot be said for puff pastry; there is currently no other alternative available, and I really do look forward to the day they finally go trans fat-free (although I would still use it probably once a year.)
I’m sad that you look at my lunch menus and pictures and just see “sugar, salt, and trans fat”, rather than appreciating all the good veggies, fresh fruits, beans, whole grains, etc. It’s true, I do call for sweeteners, salt, and some forms of fat in some of my recipes, but all the margarines and shortenings specify non-hydrogenated, and these are mostly “sweets and treats”, which I note in my book are optional and for special occasions. I also include lots of ideas for healthier treats, too. In no way do I recommend eating vegan Twinkies every day!
I think it’s nice to have occasional treats, birthday cakes, or comfort foods available if you like them. If you don’t, please at least try to see that healthy, fresh foods are also here, and don’t log in anonymously to Blogger just to put me down. I am just one person doing the best I can, but not every food here is going to make every person happy.
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