Easy. Plant-based. Delicious. These are three words you are probably going to hear mentioned many times on this blog. Why? Because that’s what Shane & Simple is all about. The very first recipe I’m going to show you is just that and it’s amazing: A Grilled Peanut Butter Banana Jelly Sandwich!
Hey everybody! I’m Shane and this is my first official post as a wannabe food blogger. Why a food blog? Thanks for asking. Grab a chair, sit down and I’ll tell you.
After my transformation from fat ass to sexy beast in 2013 because of a plant-based diet, my friends and family kept asking, “What are you doing?” I shared the tragic news I had watched the film Forks Over Knives and would no longer be eating anything with a face. No meat, no dairy, and no processed foods. Although they were very happy for me, they, like many others, lived under the impression eating “heathy” or “plant-based” was difficult, tasteless, and reserved for the well healed elite.
So after years of talking, I thought I’d just show them. That’s why Shane & Simple.
The Grilled Peanut Butter Banana & Jelly Sandwich
OK, enough about me let’s talk about this amazing little creation.
First of all, I’m nostalgic. I love remembering the happiness of a former place, time, or situation. It’s therapeutic in some ways, therefore, when I cook I want others to feel what I feel. It may be a little naive to think this way, and it probably is, but it’s the simple things, like food, that jog memories and evoke feelings of the past.
I was ten years old the first time I had a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich and still remember it like it was yesterday. My mother called me to the table because she had a “surprise” for me. I watched as she stood in front of an old yellow gas stove, preparing what I thought was a grilled cheese. Yet, what she put on my plate was nothing short of amazing. My favorite, PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY! And it was GRILLED! Amazing! I have never forgotten that moment.
My mother passed away in 2000 and I still miss her just as much as I did when she left. And, though it may sound silly, I feel like my take on her sandwich is one of the many ways I still remember her, honor her, and share how much she meant to me with others.
I hope you see why I’m excited to share my own version of this sandwich with you. Yes, it’s because this recipe is easy, plant-based, and delicious. But, most of all and most importantly, it’s because the inspiration came from a mother’s selfless desire to love her children well, even in the little things…like peanut butter and jelly. I hope this not only feeds your stomach, but your soul as well. Nostalgia.
Peace + Feast,
shane
Grilled Peanut Butter Banana & Jelly Sandwich
- Total Time10 minutes
- Yield1 Sandwich 1x
- DietVegan
The grilled peanut butter banana & jelly sandwich. Perfect for a snack, breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert. What more could you want?
Ingredients
- 2 slices whole grain bread
- 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp. favorite fruit spread (no sugar added)
- 1 ripe banana
Instructions
- Preheat nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread; cover one side with jelly and top with sliced bananas.
- Put the bread together and place in a heated non-stick pan.
- Apply a little bit of pressure with a spatula and cook for about a minute; flip and continue cooking by applying a little pressure for another minute. Flip and flop until you are satisfied with the way it looks.
- Remove from heat and eat!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories: 513
- Sugar: 37.8 g
- Sodium: 327.2 mg
- Fat: 12.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 89.5 g
- Fiber: 10.3 g
- Protein: 15.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Prep Time: 5 mins.
- Cook Time: 5 mins.
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: Vegan
Delicious!! This has become my go to dinner when I too tired to cook. I have MS and this summer heat drains my night-time energy. This is perfect. Cheers to your mom!
Charlotte, I also take my cheese sauce and spread it on bread, add sliced tomato and grill it in the pan that same way. So delicious and something quick when you are too tired to cook.
The story you shared about your mom brought tears to my eyes. Nothing like a mother’s love in preparing food for their children. I made this pb&j today with your strawberry chia jam! OMG now I will pass this down to my children., Thanks for keeping it real.
Thank you, Diane. Blessings to you and your family.
Great recipe! What are your favorite whole grain breads, buns, tortillas, etc.? Do you use a certain brand? Thanks so much for all you do to make WFPB delicious and easy!
Hi, Claudia! Thanks so much for your kind words. Honestly, I don’t use a particular brand all the time. But, I am a fan of Dave’s Killer Bread and Trader Joe’s sprouted grain brands. I usually just read the labels and use what I feel is compliant:)
Nice.
Feeling silly that I’m asking, but …
What did put in the pan to grill so it wouldn’t stick?
Nothing. I preheat a nonstick skillet on medium and let the pan completely heat up before I use it.
Easy and good!
Hi Shane,
Would you mind sharing your favorite brand of fruit spread?
Thank you,
Becky
Sure thing, Becky! I love these Polaner Fruit Spreads. They’re sweetened with fruit juice and have no corn syrup. We don’t consume a ton of this, but it is a better alternative for the kids and snacks. And, Wal-Mart carries them and they’re relatively cheap too, so that’s good:) Hope this helps! I’ve attached a link so you can check them out.
https://shaneandsimple.com/fruit-spread