Homemade Peanut Butter {Why aren’t you making it?}

I know what you’re thinking… “Oh poor thing… she must have moved to a yurt, quit shaving her legs and started sewing her own undergarments…” Not so – although I did let some time pass after posting directions for making homemade almond milk.

If you’re still buying peanut butter in the jar… you’re, well… nuts! Seriously… If you have even the slightest interest in being a little more “green” and/or eating healthier, homemade Peanut Butter would be offered in an introductory class for either… And, you can make it in a Jif-fy! (See what I did there?!)

The first time I made peanut butter, I’ll admit my motivation was neither saving the planet or eliminating hydrogenated fats. It was 3 in the afternoon, I needed an energy boost and wanted an apple and peanut butter. There was one problem. I had no peanut butter. But I DID have a jar of peanuts and my new Vitamix…

Five minutes later I was spreading peanut butter on apple slices and energized not just by the protein, but by my new discovery. It was delicious! And easy. So easy, in fact, that you don’t have to take notes, and there’s no recipe to print out.

For one cup of peanut butter, here’s what you do: Dust off your blender – hopefully a fairly powerful one. (If not, splurge on a Vitamix. You’ll thank me later.) Add 2 cups of roasted, lightly salted peanuts (buy in bulk to save money and the planet….) and give it a whirl. That’s it.

Well, you can add a little honey or agave nectar if you like, or additional salt if you miss seeing your cardiologist. Blend until it reaches the consistency you like (about the amount of time it takes to shave your legs). You might have to stop the blender several times and stir things a bit. Then?! Voila! Peanut Butter! With no un-pronounceable ingredients.

And unlike many store-bought versions of “natural” peanut butter, there’s no separation of peanuts and oil that need to be stirred together every time you open it.