People. Help me now. I got back to China about a month ago and the internet connections have been AWFUL. It just took 5 minutes for the page I type this on to load. I don't have time for slow internet in my life. SO….that means a lot of quiet around Market to Meal. I'm so sorry. I am hoping I'll get this post to work. Please be patient with me as I try to get some things shared on here. This post is my pictures (taken like a year ago…) with text from my friend Erica (remember her? Cure your own bacon de Erica). The other day I got an email from her that said, "I didn't see this on your site yet, so I'm sending it to you." Same thing happened from another China expat that I don't even know recently. Love this. I'm 4+ years into this blog and I love fresh ideas from others. I love for it to be more than just me. Reality is I can't do everything or make everything or jump on every food fad. Nor do I have to make many dietary substitutions or restrictions for my family as we have no medical needs that require that. So I love when others share things that might be helpful to some of you!
Homemade Nut Butter
2 cups of peanuts, almonds or other nut
Put nuts in the food processor and hold it still as it will shake the first few seconds. It soon will look just like peanut crumbs.
After about 3-5 minutes of letting it run, scrape the sides and make sure it is getting all the peanut pieces. It will probably still look dry at this point. Turn it back on and allow it to run for another 3-5 minutes and once again check it and make sure it is stirred a bit. Let it continue to run. The food processor is not only chopping the nuts into small pieces, it also is helping to release the oils in the nuts which will make your peanut butter more creamy.
It typically takes about 10-12 minutes for peanut butter, sometimes a bit longer. It will get to a very wet looking consistency and will be just about pourable when you take it out. The reason it will seem less firm than store bought is because the food processor has heated it a little. Once it sits it will look just like natural store bought peanut butter. If you don’t like any pieces of peanuts in your butter, you might have to let it run even longer.. we typically don’t mind a few pieces especially when we use it in recipes.
Variation: If you are looking for a treat, add a Tbsp of honey and continue to mix a little longer. It is so yummy on toast!
It will keep on the counter in an air tight container for a few days and about 2 weeks in the fridge.
Homemade Nut Butter
2 cups of peanuts, almonds or other nut
Put nuts in the food processor and hold it still as it will shake the first few seconds. It soon will look just like peanut crumbs.
After about 3-5 minutes of letting it run, scrape the sides and make sure it is getting all the peanut pieces. It will probably still look dry at this point. Turn it back on and allow it to run for another 3-5 minutes and once again check it and make sure it is stirred a bit. Let it continue to run. The food processor is not only chopping the nuts into small pieces, it also is helping to release the oils in the nuts which will make your peanut butter more creamy.
It typically takes about 10-12 minutes for peanut butter, sometimes a bit longer. It will get to a very wet looking consistency and will be just about pourable when you take it out. The reason it will seem less firm than store bought is because the food processor has heated it a little. Once it sits it will look just like natural store bought peanut butter. If you don’t like any pieces of peanuts in your butter, you might have to let it run even longer.. we typically don’t mind a few pieces especially when we use it in recipes.
Variation: If you are looking for a treat, add a Tbsp of honey and continue to mix a little longer. It is so yummy on toast!
It will keep on the counter in an air tight container for a few days and about 2 weeks in the fridge.
Notes: We both use the Great Value brand peanuts that are lightly salted and no skin and these work great (and are the cheapest).
Where did you get your food processor? Taobao or somewhere in Chengdu? I've been looking at one on Amazon, but it's awfully pricey. Are you happy with the one you have? I actually want it to make our own nut butters :). and have been looking for a couple of months now. So this post was timely for me. I love making my own, but just have never gotten around to getting the processor. Thanks for any advice you could give on purchasing one.
ReplyDeleteAaron and I may need to try this with Caplock honey. Tracy
ReplyDeleteMmm Tracy! That would be SO much better than the honey options here!
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia--My food processor was bought probably 8 years ago. It is a Philips brand (飞利浦). It is has the motor base and 3 attachments--a blender, a small food processor (which my family has sorely outgrown), and a spice/coffee grinder. It looks like the model number for a similar set nowadays is HR2168 if you are looking on TB or Amazon. Back when we bought it it was one of the best options and was around Y350. It looks like the cost now would be in the Y4-500 range unless you can catch a sale and there are likely many other good options around now as well. It also seems that Philips does sell just a plain food processor. Try searching 食品加工机. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteGuess what, Brittany! I'm about to post recipes for making Larabars--bars that are only dried fruit and nuts. My friend Erica has been working on them and now I've been trying them and they are about ready to post. :) I've been using my little food processor and its been holding up for making them. AND I have a recipe for almond milk waiting in the wings too. The person who is guest posting it for me is using a local blender. :)
ReplyDelete