Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple childhood food.  They’re easy to make, yummy, and actually pretty healthy for you (assuming you use ingredients not loaded down with corn syrups and chemical preservatives).  Erik and I first discovered this combination in drink-able form as a milkshake last year when we were both recovering from our respective oral surgeries and were desperate for new liquid things to eat.  I decided this year to try making it in smoothie form so I could have it for breakfast.  And it worked!

What you’ll need

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie:

• 1 cup strawberries, hulls removed
• ½ cup peanut butter, melted slightly in the microwave
• 1 5.3 oz container greek yogurt (vanilla or strawberry flavor)
• 6 ice cubes
• Sugar to taste
• Salt to taste

Blend together ice cubes and strawberries until both are crushed.  Add the peanut butter and yogurt, and blend until well mixed.  Taste, and add sugar and salt as needed.  How much sweetener and/or salt you’ll need largely depends on the type of peanut butter you use, since different peanut butters have different amounts of salt and sugar in them.  Once everything is well blended and tastes right, pour into a large glass, and enjoy!

All that’s missing is the bread (luckily)!

This recipe can also easily be converted into a milkshake by replacing the ice cubes and yogurt with ice cream and milk.   You can also substitute the cup of strawberries with 1/3 cup of strawberry jam, also melted slightly in the microwave.  Just keep in mind that the more sugar laden things you put into it, the less healthy this smoothie/milkshake gets.