Peanut Butter Jelly Time

When I first met the husband, I didn't get the American obsession with peanut butter or understand why they liked it with jelly, chocolate or ice cream.  The only time I ever ate peanut butter was on toast, with a sprinkling of salt.  I just couldn't get my head around combining it with something sweet - blegh. But I have since then, changed my mind and peanut butter combos are definitely something I've adapted to.  

The delicious Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (peanut butter smothered in chocolate) are to die for.  I admit when I first tasted one, I spat it out in disgust, but I became accustomed to them and now LOVE them!  They're even better when used in s'mores.  Yes, yes, not so healthy, but pretty bloody delicious!  Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches?  Yes please, another food combo  I used to scorn, but now absolutely love.  My absolute favorite peanut butter combo though, has to be the husband's homemade pancakes, spread with peanut butter then doused in syrup.  Yes please. 

Thinking about it though, there are probably a few British food combos (mostly with chips for some reason) that sound strange to my American friends.  Without further ado, here's a few of them:

Chips and Curry Sauce

You get this combo from any Chinese Restaurant/Take Away in Britain.  I mostly used to eat it on the way home from a night out, and my shirt would always be covered in it the next morning.  Usually served in white polystyrene containers, the chips are smothered in a brownish, yellowish Chinese curry sauce.  Sounds gross I know, but it really is the perfect combination - don't knock it till you try it!  This must be eaten with a plastic fork to get the full experience :)  Chinese curry is not to be confused with Indian curry however.  You should most definitely not ask for this at an Indian Restaurant.

Beans on Toast

I have mentioned this combo many times before.  When making beans on toast, you should ensure that the toast is smothered in butter before you dump the beans on top.  You should then proceed to eat it with a knife and fork.  I don't know any American that would eat beans in this manner :)

Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas

A delicious combo that goes perfectly together :)  Mushy peas are marrowfat peas that are then cooked to make them mushy.  Even better with loads of salt and vinegar.

The magnificent Chip Butty

You can make these at home but they really taste so much better from the chippy (Fish and Chip Shop).  It's as easy as it sounds.  Fresh, fat chips are put into a big, buttered, soft roll.  Add salt and vinegar and bam -  a jolly tasty chip butty! 

So now my mouth is watering and I wish I could just walk to the Chinese Restaurant or the chippy.  Thanks to Publix's British food section though, I am going to go and make myself some beans on toast instead, Heinz of course.  Worth every cent of the $5 it cost for a can...kind of!