Peanut Butter: High-Value Superfood

(NAPSI)-Want to spread the value in your meals and snacks and boost your protein and nutrients? Spread peanut butter. The benefits of peanut butter are clear when you compare cost per serving.

For instance, just two spoonfuls of peanut butter-a serving about the size of a ping-pong ball-costs around 13 cents but has just as much protein as a glass of milk (24 cents per serving) and more than a hot dog (56 cents per serving).

In addition to packing plenty of protein, researchers using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that people who eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly take in many more nutrients-including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, zinc, folate and fiber-than those who don't. Plus, peanut butter provides good fats that lower cholesterol, according to researchers from Penn State.

One delightful way to up your protein and nutrients for less with peanut butter is with this recipe, which can healthfully feed a family of four.

Peanutty Vegetable Medley

2 teaspoons peanut oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

½ cup water

2 teaspoons chili powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cauliflower (about 2½ pounds), broken into large florets

2 carrots, cut into ½-inch slices

1 green pepper, cut into 1½-inch pieces

⅓ cup creamy peanut butter

8 ounces couscous, pasta or rice, cooked

In a 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is translucent. Stir in tomato sauce, water, chili powder and salt. Add cauliflower, carrots and green pepper; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in peanut butter. Cover and simmer 5 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Serve with couscous, pasta or rice.

Makes 4 servings.

You can find more recipes and information about the nutrition in peanuts and peanut butter from the experts at The Peanut Institute. Look online at www.peanutinstitute.org or call (888) 8PEANUT.

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Kellogg Company Announces Precautionary Hold on Austin and Keebler Branded Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers

Kellogg Company yesterday announced it has taken the precautionary measure of putting a hold on Austin® and Keebler® branded Toasted Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Crackers, Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, and Peanut Butter-Chocolate Sandwich Crackers.

FDA and other regulatory agencies have indicated that Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) is the focus of their investigation concerning a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. PCA is one of several peanut paste suppliers that the company uses in its Austin® and Keebler® branded peanut butter sandwich crackers.

Kellogg Company's investigation has not indicated any concerns, nor has the Company received any consumer illness complaints about these products.

Nonetheless, Kellogg Company is taking precautionary measures including putting a hold on any inventory in its control, removing product from retail store shelves, and encouraging customers and consumers to hold and not eat these products until regulatory officials complete their investigation of PCA and Kellogg provides further information as to the resolution of this issue.

"Consumer health and safety is our top priority," said David Mackay, president and CEO, Kellogg Company. "We are taking these voluntary actions out of an abundance of caution."

While no additional consumer action is necessary at this time, consumers with questions or who would like a product refund can call the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888-314-2060.

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What is PB's perfect pairing this National Peanut Butter Lovers Month? Produce.

PRNewswire/ -- There is no denying that most people need to increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables. For some, the recommended daily consumption seems daunting. During Peanut Butter Lovers Month this November, try dressing up those fruits and veggies with fun, flavored peanut butters and peanut butter recipes for dishes that are sure to please everyone in the family.

According to Produce for Better Health Foundation, 90 percent of Americans consume fewer fruits and vegetables than the recommended daily amount, which ranges from 2 to 6 1/2 cups each day. Peanut butter, on the other hand, is consumed in 89 percent of households in the United States.

"Peanut butter is the perfect partner for almost any fruit or vegetable because it's a flavor that we already love," said Raffaela Marie Fenn, president and managing director of the National Peanut Board. "According to Weekly Reader, 64 percent of students said they would eat more produce if paired with peanut butter. Peanut butter tastes great with many different types of produce -- from broccoli and spinach to pears and pineapple. This Peanut Butter Lovers Month, get creative to encourage healthy eating."

Peanut butter is a good source of vitamin E and an excellent source of niacin, an essential vitamin that converts food to energy, both of which are important for proper growth and development. Peanuts, peanut butter and other peanut products are high in protein, have no trans fats and are cholesterol-free.

Trying to get more fruits and vegetables in to your family's diet -- or your own? The ideas below are just a few fun ways to combine fresh produce and peanut butter into delicious, healthful meals and snacks.

-- Add P.B. Loco Asian Curry Spice peanut butter to your favorite fruit
chutney for a tasty vegetable dip.
-- In the mood for a decadent dessert? Dress up a traditional baked apple
with Peanut Butter & Co. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter.
-- Add a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper to Sunland Onion Parsley
peanut butter and you have the perfect sauce for steamed mixed
vegetables -- serve as a side dish or over rice as an entree.

For recipes and photos of the dishes mentioned above, as well as other information about USA-grown peanuts and peanut butter, check out www.nationalpeanutboard.org .

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One Creative Kid Chef Could Win a $25,000 Scholarship Fund

CC Note: Come on Fayette County! Grab that peanut butter jar and get going!

(NAPSI)-As parents prepare for the back-to-school season, packing school lunches such as the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a great way to stick to the family budget and satisfy even the pickiest eaters. A recent survey conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company found a variety of ways adults prefer to eat their sandwiches made with peanut butter--69 percent of consumers prefer to use creamy peanut butter while 36 percent like their sandwiches toasted. However, for the past six years, thousands of kid chefs from across the country have been able to think outside the "lunch box" and create butterfly pancakes, lettuce wraps and even a "Monstwich" using Jif® peanut butter and their own imagination to earn scholarship funds.

From August 4 through November 14, 2008, the makers of Jif peanut butter are accepting entries for the 7th Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest™. The grand-prize winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship fund and four runners-up will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship fund. The contest is open to children ages 6 to 12.

Last year's most creative peanut butter sandwich was influenced by a child's love of Chinese food. Eleven-year-old Samuel Sosa of Riverside, California, hit a home run with his "Crunchy Chinese Fortune Cookie Sandwich," consisting of Jif Creamy peanut butter, celery and apple on wheat bread crimped into the shape of a fortune cookie. The "fortune cookies" are served with a dipping sauce of Jif Creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, sesame oil and chili powder. Samuel added more creativity to his sandwich by handwriting fortunes such as "Smile, Mom Loves You" for his "cookies."

Jif is also offering up something for adults to help spark their creativity. For years, choosy moms have made Jif their No. 1 choice of peanut butter, which is why Jif is inviting adults to share stories--250 words or less--of how moms make the best choices for their families in the Jif Moms Voice their Choice Contest™. One grand-prize winner will win a trip to New York City to serve as a judge at the 7th Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest final live judging event in March 2009. Last year's winner and mother of two, Mary Grabowski, from Commerce, Mich., said in her winning essay "The way I make the best choices for my family is simply by using two things: my heart and my head. The job of 'Mom' is the hardest job in the world but is definitely the most rewarding."

For Official Rules, entry form, recipes or to learn more about the contests, visit www.jif.com.

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