How to Make a PB&J
This isn't really about how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It is about how people think and what makes sense to them. That being said, I do know one person who makes his wrong, he knows who he is and he knows all the things he did wrong.
I first time I remember writing anything, it was instructions on how to make a PB&J. It was a writing prompt in either first or second grade and you could draw the steps as you wrote them out. So in the end you had a neat little book that you wrote and illustrated. My school then went ahead and laminated all the students "first books". It was kind of amazing in retrospect that they did that. I think my mom still has mine. If I can find it I will add a picture later.
I liked this exercise because it made you think about how you and others think or approach tasks. It might also have been my first list ever! This is not a recreation. This is how I would explain the process now.
Step One: Gather Ingredients. Choose Wisely. ;)
This has to be step one. Can't just start making a sandwich if you don't have all your shit in order and available. I think a lot of people might skip this step or not consider it necessary. Come on, this ia a how to make not a how to get lesson. Feels short sighted to me, but fine. I won't dwell too much on the gather bit. I will just assume that I have the bread of my choosing handy (A nice soft wheat), crunchy peanut butter (yes, I know this will split the crowd, but love is love people), and tasty grape jelly (I really like any jelly but something nice about a classic here.) This list might also include a tool for spreading and at least a paper towel to avoid a mess.
Step Two: Spread the Peanut Butter on one Side of one Slice of Bread.
Order matters here. Also if that feels like I am over explaining I am not. Little off topic, I use a butter knife, I think it is weird to use a spoon, not unforgivable, but weird. Now, why is peanut butter first you might ask? It sets the tone for the rest of the process. You want the one side totally full of the peanut butter, all the way to the crusts. You don't want too much. Don't lay it on thick, but do cover the whole face of that slice of bread. It is the easier to control substance and the one that should be consistent in every bite.
Step Three: Spread Jelly on one Face of the Unused Slice of Bread.
This is where I am going to lose people. I know it, but still, I have to address a couple of things. I will 100% just dunk that used peanut butter covered knife right in that jelly. I am the only one using the peanut butter and jelly. I do not care if I contaminate my jelly. Obviously if you share food with pickier people or if you have to be careful about people with allergies then sure wipe it off or if you don't care about germs but do care about peanut butter in you jelly then you lick that butter knife clean and you dive right in there. I guess if you were really worried, then just get out two butter knives back in step one you silly and all this stress could have been avoided.
I have one other thing to address in this step. If you put that jelly on the peanut butter you are wrong. You're not a monster like those people who put jelly on first and then try to put peanut butter on top of it...but you're still wrong. Please...put that jelly on the other slice. Spread in out to the edges as best you can, leave a little chuck here or there for fun. Let that jelly soak into that bread just a little. Trust me, it's better this way.
Step Four: Optional Additional Ingredients.
If you have been following along and did step one you might have grabbed a few fun extras to include in your sandwich. Personally I like a little extra crunch in my sandwich so I use this time to pour a little rice crispy cereal on the jelly side. I have also included bananas from time to time. I say never let anyone tell you want does or does not belong on your sandwich.
Step Five: Put Your now Full Halves of Bread Together.
You got this. It is like closing a book but more carefully. If you are brave you just pick up a piece and plop in onto the other. I feel much more satisfied when I fold them together, but I trust that you will bring them together in the best way for you.
Step Five and Half: Clean Up
Put your stuff away. You want more sandwiches later right? Don't leave the things out. Exposed to the elements. Also, it is just polite. Even if you live alone. You should expect the best in yourself and that means cleaning up.
Step Six: Enjoy.
Obviously the best step. The payoff to what I assume took minutes at the most...way, way less time than it is taking me to write this. I am imagining small me making the little book and drawing the little pictures and not even realizing how much faster it would have been to just make a sandwich.
Did I say this wasn't about a sandwich? Hmm, maybe it was...I want to know how everyone makes their PB&Js. Please, please tell me. I keep a tally and love when someone has a way I haven't heard before, even better if there is an interesting reason. Please share with me the best PB&J you have ever had or made. I genuinely think it tells you a lot about a person. I know I shared a lot.
All the best,
Sharebear
I first time I remember writing anything, it was instructions on how to make a PB&J. It was a writing prompt in either first or second grade and you could draw the steps as you wrote them out. So in the end you had a neat little book that you wrote and illustrated. My school then went ahead and laminated all the students "first books". It was kind of amazing in retrospect that they did that. I think my mom still has mine. If I can find it I will add a picture later.
I liked this exercise because it made you think about how you and others think or approach tasks. It might also have been my first list ever! This is not a recreation. This is how I would explain the process now.
Step One: Gather Ingredients. Choose Wisely. ;)
This has to be step one. Can't just start making a sandwich if you don't have all your shit in order and available. I think a lot of people might skip this step or not consider it necessary. Come on, this ia a how to make not a how to get lesson. Feels short sighted to me, but fine. I won't dwell too much on the gather bit. I will just assume that I have the bread of my choosing handy (A nice soft wheat), crunchy peanut butter (yes, I know this will split the crowd, but love is love people), and tasty grape jelly (I really like any jelly but something nice about a classic here.) This list might also include a tool for spreading and at least a paper towel to avoid a mess.
Step Two: Spread the Peanut Butter on one Side of one Slice of Bread.
Order matters here. Also if that feels like I am over explaining I am not. Little off topic, I use a butter knife, I think it is weird to use a spoon, not unforgivable, but weird. Now, why is peanut butter first you might ask? It sets the tone for the rest of the process. You want the one side totally full of the peanut butter, all the way to the crusts. You don't want too much. Don't lay it on thick, but do cover the whole face of that slice of bread. It is the easier to control substance and the one that should be consistent in every bite.
Step Three: Spread Jelly on one Face of the Unused Slice of Bread.
This is where I am going to lose people. I know it, but still, I have to address a couple of things. I will 100% just dunk that used peanut butter covered knife right in that jelly. I am the only one using the peanut butter and jelly. I do not care if I contaminate my jelly. Obviously if you share food with pickier people or if you have to be careful about people with allergies then sure wipe it off or if you don't care about germs but do care about peanut butter in you jelly then you lick that butter knife clean and you dive right in there. I guess if you were really worried, then just get out two butter knives back in step one you silly and all this stress could have been avoided.
I have one other thing to address in this step. If you put that jelly on the peanut butter you are wrong. You're not a monster like those people who put jelly on first and then try to put peanut butter on top of it...but you're still wrong. Please...put that jelly on the other slice. Spread in out to the edges as best you can, leave a little chuck here or there for fun. Let that jelly soak into that bread just a little. Trust me, it's better this way.
Step Four: Optional Additional Ingredients.
If you have been following along and did step one you might have grabbed a few fun extras to include in your sandwich. Personally I like a little extra crunch in my sandwich so I use this time to pour a little rice crispy cereal on the jelly side. I have also included bananas from time to time. I say never let anyone tell you want does or does not belong on your sandwich.
Step Five: Put Your now Full Halves of Bread Together.
You got this. It is like closing a book but more carefully. If you are brave you just pick up a piece and plop in onto the other. I feel much more satisfied when I fold them together, but I trust that you will bring them together in the best way for you.
Step Five and Half: Clean Up
Put your stuff away. You want more sandwiches later right? Don't leave the things out. Exposed to the elements. Also, it is just polite. Even if you live alone. You should expect the best in yourself and that means cleaning up.
Step Six: Enjoy.
Obviously the best step. The payoff to what I assume took minutes at the most...way, way less time than it is taking me to write this. I am imagining small me making the little book and drawing the little pictures and not even realizing how much faster it would have been to just make a sandwich.
Did I say this wasn't about a sandwich? Hmm, maybe it was...I want to know how everyone makes their PB&Js. Please, please tell me. I keep a tally and love when someone has a way I haven't heard before, even better if there is an interesting reason. Please share with me the best PB&J you have ever had or made. I genuinely think it tells you a lot about a person. I know I shared a lot.
All the best,
Sharebear
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