Celebrate Elvis By Eating Like A King

As many of you know, today’s would have been Elvis Presley’s 75th birthday.  He left an indelible impression on our culture in many ways; primarily through music, but also with food.  I mean, this guy loved to eat – maybe a little too much, actually.  That said, when you think Elvis and food, you likely think of his seminal creation: the fried peanut butter, banana (and sometimes bacon) sandwich.  I have never had this combination together, but as Elvis knew good food, especially the kind that would literally inflate you as you ate it, we should follow his lead.

Per the NY Times’ Diner’s Journal recipe, we should all go home today and make this sandwich while thinking of The King.

Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches

4 tablespoons commercial peanut butter
4 slices white sandwich bread
2 ripe bananas, sliced into thin rounds, approximately half a cup
4 slices bacon (optional, but what would Elvis do?)
3 tablespoons butter

1. If using bacon, fry in a heavy skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove from pan and drain over paper towel. Wipe out skillet.
2. Spread peanut butter evenly over 2 slices of bread, then pile banana slices over these. Add bacon, if using, then complete sandwiches with remaining slices of bread. Press together gently.
3. Heat butter in skillet over medium heat until it foams, then fry sandwiches, turning once, until golden brown, about 4 minutes total. Serve immediately.

H/t to The Sweetest Kitchen for the picture.  Oh, and Elvis had another favorite sandwich: the Fool’s Gold Loaf.  Yikes.