I absolutely loved, loved, loved this sandwich when I was young.

Growing up in a home with no processed sugar, whole grains, and organic veggies galore, we had sandwiches for lunch. Whole wheat, homemade bread was our staple. I remember my mother’s hands kneading with strong conviction. I remember more frequently, my mother’s bread machine quietly whirling. And I fondly remember that aroma. Sweet, round, nutty smell, that reminds you the crusty, soft, steamy goodness is about to enter your mouth.

When we were very young, my mother canned and cultured all our winter needs. That meant summers were filled with growing, collecting, cooking, and procuring. Sprouts were one of the small items that always found life on our sunny kitchen window shelf. Spicy radish, bland alfalfa, and fragrant broccoli seeds all came alive in that little container. We’d watch with small child eyes each day. Wondering how long they’d have to get before we could gobble them down.

Peanut butter came from our food co-op. Raw, freshly ground, peanut butter glopped from that huge spigot into our brought-from-home container. It was slightly chunky and almost smooth. It was rich and colorful and truly aromatic. Simply, it was the basis of many a lunch.

I do not recall when my childhood favorite came to be. But yesterday, that peanut butter and sprout sandwich recreated in my kitchen tasted as wonderfully pleasing as ever!

Could it be the tender crunch? Or the luxury of the peanut butter? Or is it that after being gluten-free for almost a year I forgot what  “sandwich” truly means? Perhaps it is the soft bite, with the subtle crunch of the tender sprout that is still makes me stand still and smile. And that is what I did. I smiled right through that childhood sandwich experience.

If you’d like to create this rather odd sandwich, you must, must, must, use “all natural peanut butter.” Jif just isn’t privy to this private encounter. The peanut butter that separates from the oil is perfect. Use any flavor of sprout you wish. Spicy or mild are welcome to join this reunion. And homemade, whole-grain, bread–fresh from the oven, soft and wonderful–will complete this heavenly healthy trio.

Try it if you feel adventurous!