Homemade Peanut Butter. . . . for my Hubby for Valentine

February 15, 2014

Every year is always a challenge to figure out whats the most awesome thing I could make for my lovely hubby for valentines. Well took me a minute but then it came to one night while watching him perform his before bedtime snack or as he calls it "feeding his body/muscles while he sleeps." He has a protein shake and a spoonful of PB. So I figured making him some would be a big hit. So here's a simple recipe I have after playing around. Gluten free and taste great.




Nikkie's Homemade Peanut Butter
Makes about 2 Cups(16oz)
Ingredients:

4 cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts
2 Tbsp of Peanut Oil(optional but I like the flavor it brings, plus it makes it not as dry)
1 Tbsp of Kosher Salt(if you like salter PB add 1 more Tbsp)

Flavor Options:
  • Honey-Add 1/4 cup of Honey
  • Chopped nuts-1/2 cup for chunky, 1 cup for extra chunky
  • Choose a different nut(cashew, almonds, macadamia)
Directions:

Setup food processor, add peanuts, start processor. 

Add Oil and salt. A ball will start to form, keep processing. Will start to look chunky, like thick peanut butter(this is the final stage before it turns creamy), keep processing. I stopped (picture below)when its still pretty thick but not to thick, my hubby likes thick or chunky PB better. So I stopped here

  
Last 30 seconds add chopped nuts for chunky. Viola Peanut butter, it will seem thin but once in the fridge it thicken up. Process will take about 5 minutes. Will refrigerate up to 1 month.



He loved it and now I'm his Peanut butter maker Queen. Coming soon, more flavors and chocolate peanut butter.

**** Updated Flavors ****

Roasted Almond Butter
&
Roasted Cashew Vanilla Bean Butter




Happy Valentines Day




Loaded PotRoast Baked Potato

February 9, 2014

This is my favorite version of pot roast and mashed potatoes. I post this on my instagram one day and got tons of emails and IM's on where they can get the recipe. So here it is. 


Simple CrockPot PotRoast

Well after having no rain at all, its been raining nonstop for the last week. Nothing like pot-roast on a rainy day. I've been craving it for 2 weeks now and I finally get my fix. Here's my simple recipe for yummy pot-roast in a crockpot. 


My Baby Turning 4

February 5, 2014



*****My Birthday Girl*****

My baby(not a baby anymore), Leila turned 4 in January and I felt bad because I didn't blog about it or anything. We had barely begin to unpack when her birthday was near. I planned a cool party for her but had to put on the brakes once i found out we had to move. She had her bestie over for a Smurf themed sleepover and for toddlers it went pretty good. I even made cute aprons which I will add later.

Strawberry Lemon Poppy Trifle

February 2, 2014

Well I am a big fan of trifles. I just love cake, with fruit, with some sort of cream or pudding. I can wait for summer to try some more recipes. But my hubby loves almond poppy seed cake , I love lemon, the midget loves strawberries and we all love pudding. So this is a trifle mix for us. Gonna see how well it does at a party later. 

Grilled Chicken Tortilla Soup

Well its Superbowl XLVIII today and everyone's excited for the big game. For me its just another day to pig out. I love all the snacks, junk food and a good drink. Every Superbowl my husband and I usually stay at home but a buddy at work invited us over, plus my hubby has been raving about me being a chef at work. So what to make, I honestly didn't have any idea. I know I was in the mood for some chicken tortilla soup this weekend so why not for the party. I also will be making a Strawberry Lemon Poppy Trifle, recipe Here. The Chicken tortilla Soup can be done 2 ways, in the crock-pot or on the stove. I was gonna save this recipe for crock-pot week, so enjoy.