We know that many households are been divided when it comes to peanut butter – crunchy or smooth. Whichever way you like it, it’s easy to make at home.
“When I make peanut butter, I make both smooth and crunchy,” said Wendy Perry, recipe developer and blogger. I also make some honey and molasses peanut butters, too. It really is so simple you do not need a recipe. This is one of those goodies you just throw together, and if you have little bits of other kinds of nuts lurking in your pantry, you can throw those in too.”
North Carolina produced 342 million pounds of peanuts in 2016 and ranks 6th in the nation in peanut production. Leading peanut-producing counties are Martin, Pitt, Halifax, Bertie, Edgecombe and Hertford. Most N.C. peanut farmers grow the Virginia-type peanut that is most often sold as cocktail peanuts or as the in-shell peanuts popular at ballgames. Fall is harvest time, making it easy to find fresh local peanuts at the farmers market.
“Some people get their “raw” peanuts and roast, while others prefer those already roasted, which is what you will need to make your own simple peanut butter,” Perry said. “The best thing about making your own is that you can make it as smooth or crunchy as you like. And you can adjust salt, or leave it out altogether.”
Ingredients:
- Roasted peanuts (skinned preferred)
- Salt (unless nuts are salty)
- Oil (I prefer peanut or coconut oil)
- Honey and/or molasses
Throw peanuts into a food processor. Add a pinch or two of salt if your nuts are not already salted. Turn on low speed and process as you drizzle in a little bit of oil until the consistency you prefer. If you want some chunky, simply remove a bit, then continue processing until smooth.
Divide into several containers: smooth, crunchy, and if you like, stir some honey or molasses into the butter also.
Get carried away and add in chocolate, cinnamon and raisins or even spice it up with hot pepper.
And there you have it… freshly made peanut butter, just the way you like, in about 5 minutes. But beware, once you start making your own, you’ll wonder why you never did this before!
Find more of Perry’s delicious recipes on her blog www.WendysHomeEconomics.com.