Nifty Nut butters

Ho Ho Hello friends!

Three days to go! I’ve been practically sleeping in the kitchen (what’s new right?) trying to cram in as much seasonal baking as humanly possible. I know some of you are probably still dashing around trying to find presents for those ridiculously hard to buy for people (we’ve all got one don’t we.) Hear hear! Stress no more…I have the answer to your prayers, a present anybody will love! This week I bring you… nifty nut butters.

Nut butters are incredibly more-ish and versatile. If you are not convinced (have you tried peanut butter…I mean come on?) give it a go and then try to tell me, you aren’t hooked.

Continuing our modern-day Indiana Jones saga… we went on a road trip!  We squeezed into the little blue car and with various packages oozing out of every crevice, we set off on our next adventure. We arrived and were literally blown away by the beach. Instead of two glorious days rolling in the sand and basking in the sunshine, we were huddled inside under mounds of duvets and blankets watching a marathon of “Friends,” and eating like ravenous cavemen. I would like to mention that we took a dip in the sub-polar ocean (be it for 40 seconds), and even braved a blustery, bone-chilling beach walk. The sun did finally decide to show up…as we packed up to go home (typical!) It appears that we have terrible luck with the weather (probably from that one time I opened my umbrella inside.) However, the weather did not hold us back, we managed to demolish a fair amount of food and crush a game of charades (you wish you were a fly on that wall!)

Back from my holiday, I’m here to share two fantastic nut butter flavours with you: Chocolate peanut butter, and Maple cashew butter.  Before we begin I must inform you that to make this recipe you need PATIENCE! If you are in a hurry…how about you make an equally delicious chia pudding instead? Right, now if you think you can handle it…here we go…

Chocolate peanut butter:                                                               

• 1 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 Tbsp cocoa
• 3 Tbsp honey
• pinch salt

Maple cashew butter:

• 1 cup cashews
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp maple syrup

To start off you need to put your nuts into a receptacle and soak them (in water) overnight. In the morning they should look puffy ( or like they’ve had a wild night on the town.):

Put all your ingredients into a food processor and whizz them up:

It should all clump together like this:

If it all looks like it has gone horribly wrong (don’t cry)…keep going! 

Eventually it (changes colour…just kidding) should look smooth like this: 

It could take anywhere between 10-20 minutes. As I said…PATIENCE my friends! You (or a very special friend) will be profusely rewarded.

Fill up a jar and gift to someone you love (if that’s yourself then watch out, your head might explode.)

 Now…Hang a shining star upon the highest bough (FYI that’s a branch on your tree)…

And have yourself a merryyyyyyy litttttttle Christmaaaaaas nooow!

P.s. If you haven’t already…check out my Instagram and Facebook pages for more inspiration!