Sunday, March 24, 2013

Elvis's Cook

Memories Beyond Graceland Gates by Mary Jenkins (cook and housekeeper to Elvis known at Graceland as Mary Langston, her married name) published in USA by Eastland in 1989.

In this food orientated book Mary writes that Elvis returned from a concert tour in 1972 and told her about a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich he had eaten while on the road. Mary said it took her three tries to get the sandwich to his satisfaction, and then she cooked them for him the rest of his life. By all accounts she was a very good hearted woman and 'truly loved Elvis.' This old Amazon (2008) review has good background on this rare and expensive ($200) book and sheds light on the dream of the King of Rock:

This is a very positive book about Elvis ... it was wrote by Mary Jenkins ...Mary cooked for Elvis for years ... She loved Elvis dearly and his fans... Mary never said one negative thing about Elvis in her life... In the house Elvis purchased for her Mary would invite the fans in for a visit if she felt good she enjoyed cooking meals like she did for Elvis for the fans I was honored to be among one of the fans she cooked for along with Sharon and Sue...I will always remember the days I spent with her listening to Elvis stories ... the book is a must to any Elvis Fan collections... Mary passed a couple of years back she is missed by all for the love she had for everyone the beautiful smiles she gave everyone she met, the funny stories she would tell about Elvis such a pleasure to be around ... oh yes, she is the one that made the banana sandwiches for Elvis... The first one she made was a flop the next one Vernon stood beside her telling her just how to make it the way Elvis like it ... this book is one every fan should have in their collection...
Shirley


More info at Bookride + this is the recipe for Elvis's

Grilled Banana and Peanut Butter Sandwiches.
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 very ripe bananas

10 slices buttered bread

Butter
Blend the peanut butter with bananas till creamy.
Spread the mixture over 5 slices of bread. In a skillet melt enough butter to coat the bottom of the pan. 
Place sandwiches in pan and grill till the bread is lightly toasted.
Flip to grill the other side. Drain on paper towels -makes 5 sandwiches.
It is said Elvis enjoyed eating 'picnic style' (al fresco?) but he fastidiously used a knife and fork to eat his peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Apparently a 'good call' because it can get messy...

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