How to make peanut butter

Peanuts

A waning crescent greeted me as I got off of the bus at 5:30 yesterday morning, surrounded by a blanket of stars. I stood there in complete shock, jaw dropped, staring into the infinite darkness for what seemed like forever. You know, I don't remember the last time I saw the sky covered in stars. Hell, I can't even remember the last time I saw our natural satellite, and that thing's visible despite the luminous glow from the city.

Then it happened again - our world stunned me with her beauty. I woke up this morning and that same crescent greeted me, perched right between the break in the tall buildings, surrounded by a hazy blue sky painted with patchy clouds. I gave it a half smile, then closed the blinds, turned on the twinkly lights (which were stripped from our pathetic excuse for a Christmas tree and currently adorn our bookshelves), and poured myself a cup of coffee. Moments later, light flooded my living room, painting every white surface an electric shade of pink. I walked to the blinds I had closed minutes before and opened them - the sky was on fire, burning brilliant hues of orange and red. I stared it, just like the sky full of stars, in complete shock and awe. It knocked the wind out of me; it took my breath away.

I know to some of you this may sound completely ridiculous, but living in the city - in the heart of downtown - you don't get to experience these things often. It’s easy to bypass the beauty when you’re surrounded by tall buildings and the hustle and bustle of each day. And I imagine it's just as easy to take for granted if you're encompassed by the beauty on a regular basis (Iceland, I’m looking at you). But I urge you to stop for a moment and acknowledge how truly incredible our world is. I think you'll find that her beauty is unparalleled, and that we are undeserving.

I wish I could stay here forever, don't you?

Peanut butter in the making
Five minute peanut butter

Notes: Contrary to high prices indicating otherwise, making peanut butter is quite simple. You take some peanuts (dry roasted, oil roasted, whatever kind you like) and blend them in a food processor with a bit of salt. Bam, that's it. If you want to get fancy, add a teaspoon of unsulphured molasses and a tablespoon of cane sugar. And no, this peanut butter is not like that hydrogenated junk you buy at the grocery. It has a fine, grainy texture and bursts with flavor, making it my peanut butter of choice.

PEANUT BUTTER

1 pound dry roasted peanuts
Pinch of fine sea salt

If your peanuts aren't already shelled, do so and remove the skins (skin removal is optional). Blend the peanuts and salt in a food processor fitted with the S blade for 4-5 minutes, or until the peanut butter becomes smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed. Sometimes I'll stop mixing mine at 3 1/2 minutes (when it's still thick and dough-like), but lately I've preferred blending it for the full 5 minutes. Transfer to an air tight container and store in pantry or refrigerator.

Yield: 1 pound

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful post! It is so easy to get caught up in things, no matter where you are, that you forget to appreciate the beauty in the world. I'm not a morning person, but got up particularly early recently and saw the sun rise - how spectacular!
    And homemade peanut butter really is the best, isn't it? I love how adaptable it is, too - sometime I add honey, or spices, to mix it up a little. :)

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  2. how long will homemade peanut butter last in the fridge/pantry? :)

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    1. I couldn't tell you - we go through a batch within a couple of weeks, so it never has the chance to spoil.

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  3. what a great idea - how long will it last in the fridge?

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  4. You write so beautifully. I live in London, so I hardly ever get to see any stars--it's what I miss most about the countryside. My dad lives in South Africa, where the night sky is covered in so many stars you would need years to count them all.

    As always your pictures are stunning and so professional. Amazing little blog :)

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  5. I love this. I'm totally a fan of food processor so this is right up my ally. I remember when I went camping in the desert for the first time and being completely awe struck by the night sky. I can totally relate =)

    - Sarah
    agirlintransit.blogspot.com

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  6. There are few things more satisfying than fresh-ground peanut butter and star-gazing into the black. Maybe not together, though!

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  7. The photos are incredible. Can’t wait to try this recipe out.

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  8. have you ever made it without roasting the nuts first? i cant get it to liquify enough without roasting it first, so i was wondering if you had a trick.

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  9. The world is beautiful, eh? :) I love moments like that! And yup, such a damn shame to have to die at some point. But I suppose maybe if we didn't, we wouldn't appreciate it the same. I've never made PB before, but 4-5 minutes is a cakewalk compared to the 10+ minutes of almond butter making!

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  10. Oh, wow! This is fantastic! I love all natural foods and I'm always on the hunt for good, all-natural peanut butter. I'll have to give this a try! Also, your food photography is BEAUTIFUL! I'm now following you :)

    I would love for you to swing by my blog and check it out! I do various kinds of photography and I just put up a post about a quick, 10-second, professional-looking cake decorating tip! Please follow if you'd like! I would really appreciate it and would love to hear from you!

    neha
    neha made

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  11. great post... there is nothing a spoonful of peanut butter cant fix!

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  12. I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (=

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