Elvis Presley is known for his incredible voice, stage presence and charisma - as well as his iconic hip-shaking moves.
But alongside his musical hits, which include Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog, fans will remember a unique snack that Elvis had a certain affinity for and was the King's go-to come day or night - a fried peanut butter, banana and bacon sarnie.
And while this famous sweet and salty sandwich sounds weirdly delicious - and one you simply can’t help falling in love with - it isn't the healthiest lunchtime dish to devour. Thankfully, if you're wanting to try it out but can't justify the buttery greasy goodness, you're in luck.
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To mark the release of the Baz Luhrmann biopic on the life of the cultural icon, Elvis , culinary experts at HelloFresh have come up with some healthier substitutes to give Elvis’ favourite fried sandwich a nutritional boost - without compromising on flavour.
A spokesperson from the meal kit company said: “Whilst often debated, the Elvis sandwich epitomises the wonderful creations that can be made when you pair different flavour profiles and textures all in one dish.
"However, cooking the bacon in butter and then frying the sandwich in butter, too, means this isn’t the most health-conscious recipe. That’s why we’ve put together small changes you can make to this classic to ensure you can enjoy the same quirky taste combos without the calorific content.”
Read on to discover the four top tips recommended by HelloFresh to put a healthy spin on the sandwich that will, from first bite, be always on your mind.
Swap white bread for brown bread
This is one simple swap that won't drastically change the taste of this delightful dish. Substituting white bread for brown will add more fibre-rich goodness. Made from whole wheat, brown bread helps keep your sugar-levels on track and, according to Healthline: "Eating whole grains is associated with various benefits, including a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure." It can also help keep cholesterol levels low.
Substitute peanut butter with almond butter
These two butters - made blending the nut to form a paste - are similar in many ways. When it comes to calories, they're essentially the same and both are chocca with healthy fats, which is good for your heart and sugar levels. However, a big difference between these two is that almond butter has around 25% more monosaturated fat (according to Healthline ) than the peanut version. What's more is that a serving of peanut butter has twice as much saturated fat as that of almond butter, which can raise cholesterol.
In addition to these small differences, almond butter has more vitamins, minerals and fibre, making it more nutritionally dense as well as being tasty. You could even have a go at making the butter yourself, for an even tastier treat.
Keep an eye on the label and avoid nut butters which have additions like sugar, salt and oil.
Increase the number of bananas used
Celebrate the fruity addition in this sandwich by adding more banana, smashed or sliced - though it's recommended to not consume more than two bananas a day, so keep an eye on how many you're adding. If you’re feeling adventurous, test your taste buds by introducing some different fruits - like berries - for a nutritious burst of flavour that will cause a sweet sensation.
Leave out the bacon
It's no secret that bacon is not the healthiest of meaty sandwich fillings, so if you're not bothered with this salty pork addition, try omitting it altogether. But if you’re looking for that bit of added crunch why not choose turkey bacon instead - or even, if you're willing to try something new, vegan bacon.
Ditch the fryer
While frying the bread in butter may be a tempting option for that added salty crunch - especially is you take out the bacon - try popping your bread in the toaster. Or, if you're not too bothered on the toastiness of your sarnie, opt for a good old fashioned fresh, soft loaf that has been untouched.
For more healthy lunch ideas, visit HelloFresh
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