Salty or sweet, creamy or crunchy, peanut butter is a staple in kitchens across the country. It's nutritious, delicious, and complements a variety of foods - fruits, vegetables, breads, and even poultry and seafood. Worldwide, peanuts are eaten plain, ground, in soups, sauces, and in sweets.

History of Peanut Butter

Peanuts themselves go way back - over two thousand years, actually, originating in South America, used by the ancient Incas. Early explorers brought peanuts from South America to Africa, then to Spain. Peanuts eventually were taken to the American colonies and grown as a commercial crop in Virginia and North Carolina in the 1800's.

In the 1890's, several doctors began experimenting with grinding peanuts as a nutritious, protein-rich dietary supplement. The Kellogg brothers were part of this experimentation, but soon focused their efforts towards cereal products. Geoge Washington Carver's improvement of peanut butter in the early 1900's paved the way for its current popularity.

Chicken, Broccoli, and Almonds with Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup natural peanut butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

8 oz. spagetti
1 broccoli crown, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced into very thin strips

1. Combine peanut butter through vinegar in a food processor. Blend until very smooth. Add vegetable oil and blend well.

2. Cook pasta according to manufacturer's instructions. Steam broccoli.

3. Place pasta and chicken in a large bowl. Add peanut butter sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to serving dish and add broccoli and toasted almonds.

3-4 Servings

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Swirl Cookies

Half peanut butter cookie, half chocolate cookie, these treats are soft and tasty.

Peanut Butter Dough

1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. Combine butters and sugars in a medium bowl. Beat until fluffy.

3. Add egg and vanilla. Mix well.

4. Gradually add sifted mixture. Blend until combined.

5. Transfer dough to plastic wrap and chill.

Chocolate Dough

Repeat above ingredients and directions except:
-Add 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to sifted mixture
-Eliminate peanut butter

On a floured surface, use hands to roll each dough flavor into a log (about 1 inch diameter). Combine dough logs, press together, and twist logs to form a rope. Use a floured knife to cut 1/2 inch individual cookie slices. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes. Cool on rack.

Optional: add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips to each dough flavor

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.