Ready, Set, Go! PB Kitchen Creations

About author / Christine Gable

Culinary enthusiast; kids cuisine and slow cooking; magazine recipe developer; professional writer. Her simple recipes are great for family dinners.

If there’s one food that could be found in just about any kitchen with kids—barring allergies, of course—it’s peanut butter. Whether completing the classic PB&J, pairing up with apples, or just being nibbled off a spoon dipped in chocolate chips, it’s one kitchen staple that I’m glad we don’t have to do without.

And this week I’m writing to share some inspiration to get your kids into the kitchen and creating—with peanut butter, of course. It’s a contest with a big prize, a $25,000 scholarship fund. Plus, four runners-up win prizes of $2,500 funds each.

While kids in the 6 to 12 age range might not care too much about getting such a big boost in their college account, it’s a pretty sure bet that as parents, you will. And that just might get you suggesting, hinting—or even encouraging—your kids to get a-cookin’ with the peanut butter you pick up at the store next time (hint, hint).

Here’s the challenge: Your kids (ages 6 to 12 only) have to come up with a new and creative sandwich recipe that utilizes Jif peanut butter.

An awesome marketing idea, for sure. As you probably know how often I’m inspired by ideas and suggestions that my kids come up with, the organizers of this contest obviously know where to look when it comes to new, tasty, original recipe ideas: kids (Definitely not mom and/or dad, who rely upon the standard PB&J all too often!).

With a gift for spontaneity, living in the moment, and just overall enjoying life, kids are fountains of wonderful creativity—what better way for Jif to promote one of their company’s (and one of America’s favorite) foods: peanut butter.

Judged on creativity, nutritional balance, taste, appearance and ease of preparation, the contest is underway right now, so don’t dally. Entries must be postmarked by November 14, 2008 and received by November 21, 2008. For the official rules and entry form, visit www.jif.com

This contest has been happening for the past six years, and kid chefs from California to Maine have been working hard each year at recreating new and exciting version of the good ol' standby: the classic peanut butter sandwich.

And while creating in the kitchen and fooling around with different food combinations is just fun in itself, this challenge is about tantalizing the judges and the public. So mark your calendar: we all get to vote on the ten finalists which will be posted online in January (Set up a reminder for yourself now if you’d like to vote—especially if your kids enter).

According to a company press release, here are the guidelines for entries in the contest:

• All entries must contain at least 2 tablespoons of Jif peanut butter
• All entries must include a photograph of the sandwich
• All entries must list all ingredients in exact common U.S. household measurements and step-by-step instructions.
• Children must be between the ages of 6 and 12.

Good luck and happy cooking, all you wonderfully creative kids!

Serves/Makes: 4

• 4 slices wheat bread

***Sandwich Mix***

• 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon finely diced celery
• 1 tablespoon finely diced apple

***Chinese Dipping Sauce***

• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder