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Survey: Do You Eat Peanut Butter With a Spoon?

2009_03_05-PB.jpgThis may seem a desultory question, not too connected with the greater stream of culinary conversation. But as many of us admit to feeling less than inspired in the early days of March, we couldn't help but wonder if you resort to an age-old technique to keep you fortified and energized: eating peanut butter straight out of the jar with a spoon. Well, do you?

 
 

2009_03_05-Hamster.jpgEating peanut butter straight from the jar has become a recurring theme in my household. My husband loves it so much -- it's his comfort food and his easy snack. It's come to the point where if I hear him moving around downstairs, between work phone calls and errands, and I hear the spoon drawer open, softly... you can bet I am going to smell peanut butter next time I go in the kitchen!

Related: Fall Snacking Recipe: Peanut Butter Popcorn

(Images: Flickr member Robert Banh licensed for use under Creative Commons; Flickr member Carolyn Coles licensed for use under Creative Commons)

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Comments (22)

I actually bought a jar of PB and a spoon to work at some point for those mid-afternoon sweets cravings. Figured a spoonful of PB is better for me than a chocolate bar. Although i DID have a few awkward moments with coworkers coming into my cube when i had a mouthful of peanut-butter-spoon. ;)

posted by mh330 on March 5th 2009 at 10:38am
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I know it is a bit irrational, but is anyone else a little sketched out by buying peanut butter at all these days?

I only JUST started buying spinach again, and still won't buy it in prewashed bags/containers.

Ok, maybe I'm just neurotic.

posted by mgood on March 5th 2009 at 11:03am
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Nothing beats a spoonful of peanut butter drizzled with honey! It seems to give me an energy boost when I need it in the afternoon too...

posted by Ta on March 5th 2009 at 11:12am
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i do this on an almost daily basis... and i don't try and hide it!

posted by ellenp1214 on March 5th 2009 at 11:28am
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I am trying to convert people to using a spoon to spread pb and j! It seems so simple, but it seems like I'm the only person who does it. You use the back of the spoon to spread the peanut butter and you use the well of the spoon to pick up the jelly. Stupid knives always drop the pb and j. Please try it and be converted! It works for any combo of thick and runny sandwich toppings.

posted by chusmabilly on March 5th 2009 at 11:31am
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I frequently eat PB right out of the jar...but I'd be lying if I said it was with a spoon. I tend to use my fingers! I...guess that's not very sanitary, but it's fun : )

posted by veritatem.dilexi on March 5th 2009 at 11:52am
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How funny. My ex used to do this and it drove me crazy. I didn't realize how widespread it is...
Maybe I should give it a try!

posted by caw261 on March 5th 2009 at 12:55pm
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I have this great, discontinued mini-scraper that will get every last bit of PB from the jar. Mmmmmm....

posted by UptownGirl on March 5th 2009 at 1:07pm
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how did you know i have the tail end of a jar of smuckers sitting on my desk right now?!

posted by youreacigarette on March 5th 2009 at 1:31pm
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I leave it to sandwiches.

Now nutella....that's a different story.

posted by st@cy on March 5th 2009 at 1:39pm
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Oh, man, I used to do this (before I developed a scary scary peanut/tree nut allergy). There is nothing else like it for a quick and filling shot of protein mid-afternoon! I miss peanut butter...

posted by erin in indy on March 5th 2009 at 1:59pm
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I don't eat it out of the jar with a spoon - it just seems like too much sticky without contrast to me.

But I will freely admit to leaving a little extra on the knife or spoon while making the sandwich and then licking that off.

posted by Tangledgray on March 5th 2009 at 2:02pm
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Why not?

posted by Pixie on March 5th 2009 at 2:17pm
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peanut butter! who's eating peanut butter these days?! after that salmonella scare eek!! I love it but wont be revising it for a loooong time.

posted by sdnyc on March 5th 2009 at 2:32pm
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Still eating peanut butter despite the salmonella scare but limit it to spreading on sandwiches, toast, waffles, apples and bananas. Despite my love of the stuff I've never been one to just take a spoonful out of the jar.

posted by rosebud on March 5th 2009 at 3:38pm
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Yeah, spoon, fork, knife, fingers, whatever's around. I love love love peanut butter, and I'll never hide it or deny it, and I'm not at all scared about buying peanut butter right now. It's too delish to pass up. Skippy Superchunk FTW.

posted by SuSi Tucker on March 5th 2009 at 4:15pm
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Eating peanut butter straight out of the jar is ill-advised, particularly if you have children around and don't want to encourage them to do so. When studying the Heimlich Maneuver, I was told that, if you choke on it, it's so sticky and blobby that it's almost impossible to dislodge. If you consume it as a spread, it's okay, but by the spoonful is dangerous.

posted by Orchid64 on March 5th 2009 at 5:43pm
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oh yes. it's a great snack. but I don't double dip. and I don't shove the whole spoonful into my mouth (so choking shouldn't be a problem...) but rather eat it like an ice cream cone.

pet peeve: traces of jelly in the peanut butter jar. I can't stand it.

posted by foodefafa on March 6th 2009 at 12:18am
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I've always eaten it with any utensil handy from the jar, and was fortunate enough to marry a husband who does the same. So no hiding, no shame. Whether a protein-packed snack or dinner substitute, peanut butter is my comfort-food fave.

posted by LisaW on March 6th 2009 at 10:31am
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When I was a kid whining to my Mom for an afternoon snack she'd always say, "Eat a spoon of peanut butter"
I always assumed that this just was a sarcastic comment and had no idea how many people actually did it!

@chusmabilly- I have always made PB&J with a spoon.

posted by suthernbell on March 6th 2009 at 12:48pm
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YES! And I'm not limited to peanut butter. Bring on the cashew nut butter or almond butter as well. I've also been known to partake in the jam.

http://whatsonmyplate.wordpress.com

posted by Tonya @ What's On My Plate on March 7th 2009 at 9:42am
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Not so much right out of the jar, but it is one of my favorite snacks! I buy the "natural" varieties - either Smuckers in a jar, or from Whole Foods in a bin.

PB&J, PB&honey, and PB&banana&honey are all good. I'll also make a grilled version of any of the above in a skillet with butter. Usually any of these are on stone-ground whole wheat or multi-grain bread.

My mother, the consummate health nut, tells me that celery is oh-so good for me, so i frequently have pb on celery as a snack.

My most significant contribution to the culinary arts however, is the peanut butter banana taco! Start by warming a 10 or 12 inch flour tortilla on each side in a pan. Then spread a generous glop of PB down the middle, put a whole, pealed banana in, drizzle with honey, and roll the whole thing up!

For variety, you can dust with cinnamon or drizzle with chocolate syrup before rolling it up.

3 minutes or less. minimal cleanup. relatively healthy. totally yummy!

posted by fierybones on March 8th 2009 at 12:34am
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