In Calvin and Hobbes, Calvin’s ongoing battle with his mother about food is the stuff of legend. He refuses to eat the homemade dinners she painstakingly prepares, and he loves to fantasize that the sandwich she packs for his school lunch every day is filled with something more exciting (like squid). As a former kid and a current mom, I find myself sympathizing with both parties as I read about their mealtime spats. I remember being a little kid who was grossed out by “weird grownup food” and didn’t understand why I couldn’t have hotdogs for every meal, but now I know the struggle of having my own kid—one who, if I let him, would live on Lucky Charms and ice cream.
This struggle is perfectly shown in the comic’s Dec. 24th, 1988 strip, in which Calvin gives very specific and demanding instructions for how he wants his peanut butter sandwich prepared, only to have his mother prepare it her own way. Today’s recipe is a nod to that strip: a PB&J sandwich made with completely homemade ingredients. PB&J is a classic kids’ favorite, but the wholesome, all-natural ingredients make it a lunch moms can feel good about too.
The white bread recipe from my Lord of the Rings menu makes two loaves, so I actually already had a frozen loaf on hand for this recipe. The strawberry jam recipe is the same one I used for my Hercule Poirot breakfast post. I thought about trying something new for the jam, but I love this version so much that I didn’t think I’d find another that was up to snuff. As for the peanut butter, it’s a quick 5-minute, 2-ingredient version I found on Pinch of Yum. It’s so easy and healthy, I might not buy store-bought peanut butter ever again!
So whether you’re a 6-year-old picky eater or a mom who regularly begs her kid to just try ONE bite, dig in. There’s lots for everyone to love about this sandwich! 🙂
A
Totally Homemade PB&J
Calvin: How’s my peanut butter sandwich coming? You’re using chunky peanut butter, right? I won’t eat smooth…Make it an open-faced sandwich too! Don’t put any jelly on it or anything! And use some normal bread! I don’t like those weird grain breads…Did you cut it diagonally? I like triangles better than rectangles, so be sure to cut it right!
Mom: Your Majesty’s sandwich.
Calvin: Hey! This is a closed-face, horizontally cut, smooth peanut butter sandwich on weird bread with jelly! Weren’t you listening?!
— Calvin and Hobbes
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 slices homemade bread (I used this recipe)
- For the Strawberry Jam
- 1 lb strawberries
- 1/4 cup honey or 3/8 cup sugar (I prefer the sugar, but I recommend honey if you like your jam more tart.)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- For the Peanut Butter
- 1 1/2 cups roasted peanuts, unsalted
- 3/4 tsp salt
Makes 4 sandwiches
INSTRUCTIONS:
- For the jam, wash and coarsely chop the strawberries. Combine the strawberries, sweetener, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan for 5 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring regularly. Turn the heat up to medium-high until the mixture reaches a rolling boil. Turn the heat down to low and heat for 10 minutes, stirring and mashing the strawberries regularly. I used a potato masher to help crush the berries, but you can also use the back of a spoon.
- Pour the jam into a jar, seal it, and let it cool to room temperature (refrigerate once cooled if you don’t plan to serve it right away). For a faster cooling time, leave the lid off the jam jar and place the jar in an ice bath.
- For the peanut butter, combine the peanuts and salt in a food processor and process on low for 4-5 minutes or until creamy. It will start out crumbly, then become a thick, sticky mass, then become the smooth texture you want towards the end.
- Cut your bread and slather on generous amounts of peanut butter and strawberry jam.
- Pack it in your kid’s lunch…or eat it yourself!
Check out some of my other sandwich recipes!
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