Anyone who has ever made their own nut butter knows exactly what I am talking about when I describe the process as magical. Over the last two years or so I have drastically reduced the number of pre-packaged goods I purchase, and it terms of nut butters, I generally only purchase a few of the Peanut Butter & Co flavored peanut butters, specifically Dark Chocolate Dreams, White Chocolate Wonderful, and Cinnamon Raisin. However this may soon change. Homemade nut butter is relatively easy to make and flavoring your own nut butter is ideal since taste preference is highly personal.
Starting July 1, I decided to be place some focus on eating healthy on a budget. This, in my opinion, requires that I take a closer look at my own grocery expenses. My goals are to cut back on unnecessary spending and impulse buys, purchase only what I really need, and overall become more efficient in terms of making my own foods . In order to do this, I will need to menu plan on a weekly basis as well as do some price comparison and bargain shopping but to me this extra time is time well spend as in the long run sticking to a budget will ultimately better my overall fiancial situation. Recent interactions with a particular person have reaffirmed my desire to take responsibility for the direction in which my life is headed. There are area's of my life that I wish to change for the better (ie: my toxic living situation) but my lack of funds definately holds me back from doing such. In addition to this, I have always felt money to be a necessary evil and while I don't place significant importance on having alot of money, it's nonetheless important to be able to suppport yourself. Two people in particular stands out in my mind as I type, one of which is seemingly a day llate and a dollar short every single tiime and there's always an excuse: "I didnt get paid", "I don''t have gas" .... and this individual demonstrates no shame in draining the resources of others, all with an over inflated sense of entitlement. There is no borrowing and rarely if ever is there giving. It's take take take. The second person makes no excuses and instead brings freeloading to a new level with no apologies. Life sometimes hands you lemons and I wouldnt work in the helping profession if I didnt believe in helping those in need but when the person "in need" does nothing to better his/her own situation and instead seems perfectly coontent on sucking others dry I draw thhe line. At the end of the day, you can't help someone who won't help themself.
So, what does this have to do with nut butter? Well the last few weeks I have cut back on all grocery shopping and instead forced myself to use up what I already had. This resulted in the finding of a perfectly goood, unopened 16 oz bag of brazil nuts. YUM!! I ran upstairs to fetch my food processor and excited dumped the nuts in. (Note: I know alot of people who soak the nuts first as this makes them more digestible. However, if you soak the nuts you must dehydrate them and that takes 10 - 12 hours. Therefore, I didn't soak the nuts this time as I wanted brazil nut butter and I wanted NOW!!) With the nuts in the processor I secured the lid and turned it on. The process takes about 12 minutes so it must be done in a processor that won't overheat, burn out, or for any other reason fail. (A high speed blender, such as a vitamix or montel can also be used). Along with this, you will likely need to scrape the sides during the beginning stages until the oils release, which is the magical part I was referring to in the beginning of this post. If you have never made nut butter be sure to watch the entire process as the nuts go through several different stages along the way. They crumble, they clump together, they ball up almost like forming a dough, they redistribute and then it happens - the magic transpires - the oils from the nuts release and eveything turns to silky, creamy, sinfully delicious buttery spread. Mmmmm... so freakin good!!
Upon completion of your nut butter, you have the option to flavor it: salt, agave, vanilla, maple syrup, dried currants, cinnamon.... the possibilities are endless!! I like to break mine up into two or three small glass jars so I have a few different flavors on hand. When stored properly, your nut butter will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. I promptly used some of mine for raw nut butter cups. In a word: heavenly!!
Enjoy!
Starting July 1, I decided to be place some focus on eating healthy on a budget. This, in my opinion, requires that I take a closer look at my own grocery expenses. My goals are to cut back on unnecessary spending and impulse buys, purchase only what I really need, and overall become more efficient in terms of making my own foods . In order to do this, I will need to menu plan on a weekly basis as well as do some price comparison and bargain shopping but to me this extra time is time well spend as in the long run sticking to a budget will ultimately better my overall fiancial situation. Recent interactions with a particular person have reaffirmed my desire to take responsibility for the direction in which my life is headed. There are area's of my life that I wish to change for the better (ie: my toxic living situation) but my lack of funds definately holds me back from doing such. In addition to this, I have always felt money to be a necessary evil and while I don't place significant importance on having alot of money, it's nonetheless important to be able to suppport yourself. Two people in particular stands out in my mind as I type, one of which is seemingly a day llate and a dollar short every single tiime and there's always an excuse: "I didnt get paid", "I don''t have gas" .... and this individual demonstrates no shame in draining the resources of others, all with an over inflated sense of entitlement. There is no borrowing and rarely if ever is there giving. It's take take take. The second person makes no excuses and instead brings freeloading to a new level with no apologies. Life sometimes hands you lemons and I wouldnt work in the helping profession if I didnt believe in helping those in need but when the person "in need" does nothing to better his/her own situation and instead seems perfectly coontent on sucking others dry I draw thhe line. At the end of the day, you can't help someone who won't help themself.
So, what does this have to do with nut butter? Well the last few weeks I have cut back on all grocery shopping and instead forced myself to use up what I already had. This resulted in the finding of a perfectly goood, unopened 16 oz bag of brazil nuts. YUM!! I ran upstairs to fetch my food processor and excited dumped the nuts in. (Note: I know alot of people who soak the nuts first as this makes them more digestible. However, if you soak the nuts you must dehydrate them and that takes 10 - 12 hours. Therefore, I didn't soak the nuts this time as I wanted brazil nut butter and I wanted NOW!!) With the nuts in the processor I secured the lid and turned it on. The process takes about 12 minutes so it must be done in a processor that won't overheat, burn out, or for any other reason fail. (A high speed blender, such as a vitamix or montel can also be used). Along with this, you will likely need to scrape the sides during the beginning stages until the oils release, which is the magical part I was referring to in the beginning of this post. If you have never made nut butter be sure to watch the entire process as the nuts go through several different stages along the way. They crumble, they clump together, they ball up almost like forming a dough, they redistribute and then it happens - the magic transpires - the oils from the nuts release and eveything turns to silky, creamy, sinfully delicious buttery spread. Mmmmm... so freakin good!!
Upon completion of your nut butter, you have the option to flavor it: salt, agave, vanilla, maple syrup, dried currants, cinnamon.... the possibilities are endless!! I like to break mine up into two or three small glass jars so I have a few different flavors on hand. When stored properly, your nut butter will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator. I promptly used some of mine for raw nut butter cups. In a word: heavenly!!
Enjoy!
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