First Day Back and Nut Butters

Now that the honeymoon is over (honestly!) and John and I are back into the swing of things, I have started to cook again!

I woke up extra early this morning so I would be able to make some nut butters for the week.  I had never made them completely from scratch.  Now, I know what you are thinking, "Hey!  I remember when you first got your food processor you made walnut and almond butters!  You even made them as presents for Christmas!!"And you would be right.  I did.  BUT.  I did not roast the nuts.  The peanuts were pre-roasted and the others were raw.  Today?  I did it all!

I roasted peanuts and almonds.  There are about 3 cups of shelled peanuts and 2 cups of slivered almonds.  They baked at 350 for 15ish minutes.  Until they were brown.  While they were still piping hot they went into the food processor.  

 For the peanut butter, I wanted to use the honey as a sweetener, so I drizzled it in as it processed.  

The heat from the nuts and the processor helped make it very creamy.  I didn't have to add any additional oil!

I just processed the heck out of it!

John wanted the almond butter sweetened with molasses.

So the entire process was repeated, replacing the peanuts with almonds and the honey with molasses.  

This one fit into a jar for storage!

I did add some salt to each.  While we were in Hawai'i we were able to snag some sea salt, which I pummeled with a mortar and pestle (or Tupperware and heavy smusher)  until it was ultra fine.  

The nut butters are so good!  They don't taste anything like store bought (in a good way!) and they are really really easy to make!

I will leave you with a photo of my yummy lunch... spinach salad with strawberries and Parmesan Cheese. 

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No Stove Day

Okay, I totally made this title up as I was writing it.  I was trying to come up with a way to tie together the things in this post aaaaaand being cooked on the stove was the ONLY things they all shared.  Woot Woot. 

BRUNCH.

It doesn't have a name, really, it was just throw-it-in-the-pot-mush.  Go with it.

I started by heating up a banana in a little pot to get it all smushy and sweet.

I added some homemade walnut butter to melt in next.

I figured I should throw in some ground flax seeds, shredded coconut, and cinnamon for good measure. 

And who doesn't love plump raisins?!

When it was all melty and mixed, it was absolutely divine.

DINNER

Remember when I wanted to make Pumpkin Ravioli?  Well.  It didn't work.  They were gross.  BUT I have them anyway and I am not one to waste perfectly (well, maybe not perfectly) good food.  I made a sauce for it tonight.

I took the leftover filling  from the raviolis and stuck them in the pan.  It is pumpkin, onions, and garlic, I think.  I forgot, actually.  Whatever.

I added LOTS of parmesan cheese and parsley on top once it was warm.

Then a GENEROUS pouring of balsamic vinegar... MMmmMMMmmMMm

Plopped on top of the ravis?  Not too bad!  I don't know why the ravis have that dark tinge to them.  They have probably grown some awful fungus or something.

Or not. 

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Present #1

Since I moved out and began really cooking I have been using a little itty bitty food processor.  It was one of those one cup deals.  I think I actually picked it as my prize when I redeemed a bunch of tickets at Dave and Busters.  Tells you a bit about me, don't it!

If you have ever tried to do any processing of food in one of those 1-cuppers, you know how futile it it is.  I have been WISHING for a real food processor.  I even registered for one on my wedding registry, knowing it would be months until I got it, IF anyone even picked it.  I mean, it's not the most glamorous gift unless you really know me (side note to the givers of the hand mixer- YOU KNOW ME!) So, yeah, you get the picture.  I really wanted one.

Fast forward months.  I was at John's mom's house and we were talking about Fudge Babies.  Well, I was talking about them.  And drooling.  They were listening.  Kind of.  Anyway, I mentioned that I was only making about 6 at a time because that is all I could fit in my little processor.  His mom turned to me and said, "Why didn't you tell me you wanted one?  I have 2!"  Turns out, she had one that she had NEVER USED!!! I got a brand new food processor!!!!!!!!!  A huge wonderful one!!

Isn't it a beauty?  Thanks!

Right away I started working with it!  We made nut butters...

which are delicious with a side of bananas

that is almond butter, by the way.

and shredded our own cheese for the pepperoni bread!

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This Week's Highlights!

Today I am posting the best Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner from this week.

Best Breakfast:

It kind of looks like a sugary cereal, doesn't it?  What is it really, you ask?  WELL! It is.....

• 1 banana
• 1 small box of blackberries
• 1 big handful raisins
• 1 big handful peanuts

YUMM!  I didn't add any liquid, even though I ate it with a spoon from my cereal bowl.

Best Lunch:

This lunch is the ultimate in leftover cooking salad making.  I literally opened up my fridge, took out 1/2 of the contents, and poured it into a salad.  It is...

• Romaine lettuce
• Leftover white meat turkey
• Mushrooms
• Raisins
• Walnuts
• Lentils
  
• Ground flax seeds
• Shredded Coconut
• Hummus
• Olive Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar

On the counter it looked like this!

Best Dinner:

This meal was straight out of this blog.  The only changes I made were using chicken thighs instead of breasts (it's what I had in the freezer) and serving it over quinoa (it's what John wanted to make).  I know it looks burnt, but I promise, it is SUPER yummy!

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