Jailhouse Rock

So for this weeks blog I decided to honor a man who would have just turned 75, had he not passed away 33 years ago. The man is known as 'The King’ and he is Elvis Presley. I chose one of my favorite Elvis movies that everyone should see in their life time, because he is doing all of the things he does best. The movie is called “Jailhouse Rock’ and it’s a classic from the grand ole year of 1957. In this movie Elvis plays a young man whose put up in the big house for one year for manslaughter (uh-huh). In jail his fellow inmate is a country singer who encourages young Vince Everett to get in to the music career, which he does, swinging his hips & curling his lip all the way. Of course more drama ensues, along with self discovery, but as always, this blog isn’t about spoiling fun and surprises.

Now, in honor of his legacy I give you a meal fit for a king…or really just for the ‘King of Rock n Roll’. My take on some of Mr. Presley’s infamous favorite dishes can be enjoyed with any Elvis film. To start, we’re going to fry up some dill pickles, which can be enjoyed dipped in ranch dressing. Of course we’re going to follow them with a surprisingly delicious and super easy fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. And to top it all off, more bananas with a classic, southern banana pudding. So grab your warden and get ready for a party at the county jail!

Fried Dill Pickles
1 16 oz. jar of dill pickles (drained, but keep 2/3 cup pickle juice)
1 large egg, beaten
1 tbsp all purpose flour
1 tsp hot sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Another 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Vegetable Oil for frying
Salt and pepper

First preheat oil for frying to 375 degrees. Then drain pickles (make sure to save that 2/3 cup!) and pat pickles very dry. Then combine egg, the 1tbsp of flour, hot sauce, and pickle juice in one bowl. In a separate bowl blend the 1 ½ cups flour with garlic powder and salt & pepper. Once oil is heated dip pickles into egg mixture, then into the flour mixture and into the oil until golden brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Sprinkle with a little more salt as soon as the pickles are removed from the fryer. *Helpful hint: don’t over crowed fryer so you gain even cooking.*


Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich (Recipe for one sandwich, add accordingly!)
2 slices white bread
Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 very ripe banana
1tbsp butter

Spread as much peanut butter as desired onto one side of both slices of white bread. Take a sweet banana and slice in half lengthwise, and then cut into 4ths widthwise. Lay over one side of bread over peanut butter. Place the other slice of bread on top. Melt butter in pan and fry one side until golden brown, and then flip and fry on other side. (Make sure each side of the sandwich is coated with the butter for proper frying.)

“It’s hard to explain rock and roll music. If you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t help it.”
-Elvis Presley

Banana Pudding (See a pattern here?)
1 packet of instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size
2 cups cold milk
1 cup sweet condensed milk
1 regular size whipped topping container (Cool Whip)
4 bananas sliced ¼ inch thick
One box Vanilla wafer cookie

In large bowl mix instant pudding with both milks. Refrigerate until firm. Then fold in half of whipped topping. On the bottom of a trifle dish add some pudding, then 2 of the sliced bananas, then some vanilla wafers. Next add another layer of pudding, the remaining bananas, and more wafers until top is covered neatly with cookies. Add the remaining whipped topping on top and a few banana slices and wafers for garnish. Refrigerate for a few hours and serve! (Be creative, arrange layers how you’d like, and if you don’t have a trifle dish, any deep bowl will do! Add more bananas if you like, or more whipped topping, or substitute vanilla pudding for banana flavored, or even chocolate!)

‘Jailhouse Rock’ released by MGM in November 1957. Starring Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, & Mickey Shaughnessy. Recognized in 1991 by the ASCAP and again in 2004 by the National Film Registry. Written by Nedrick Young and Guy Trosper. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Genre: Musical, Crime, Romance. Now available on DVD!