Pictured above: PB&J that you know and love

Peanut butter and jam is a tried and true combination that both satisfies the belly and the wallet. But if you’re looking for something more substantial than two pieces of bread slapped together with some overly sweet filling, then read on!

This sandwich is a crunchier, more grown up, and more satisfying cousin of your childhood lunchbox favorite. The ingredients are very economical and it’s just as easy to put together. The sunflower seeds offer crunch, and the cranberries replace the artificial sweet flavours. Overall, I say this is a must try.

Ingredients:

2 slices: Bread of your choice (I like Dempster’s Whole Grain bread, but if you want to explore beyond the supermarket choice, maybe go with a brioche)

1 tablespoon: peanut butter

1 tablespoon: dried cranberries

1 teaspoon: sunflower seeds (hulled)

Optional: half of a medium banana (soo yummy!)

Direction: Super fast and easy version

1. Toast bread in a toaster or in your oven

2. Spread peanut butter all over the warm and toasty bread (refrain from eating at this stage)

3. scatter sunflower seeds and dried cranberries all over one piece of bread

4. Place banana slices (about 1cm thick) on the other slice of bread (optional step)

5. close it up and enjoy this delicious lunch/snack/dinner/whatever

Direction II: ooey-gooey version:

If you are looking for a more indulgent version, then I highly suggest this!

1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter or margarine in a skillet on medium (appx 1min)

2. Place the assembled sandwich (peanut butter + cranberries + banana) in the skillet

Note: Use less peanut butter in this version (just enough peanut butter to coat the bread, and also leave the sunflower seeds out. It will most likely be a very hot and messy (still delicious) sammich.

3. Brown both sides of the bread until peanut butter gets gooey and banana soften

4. Enjoy this warm, crispy, and sweet sammich 🙂

** Highly suggested accompaniments: a cold glass of milk and some apple slices **