Flashback: It’s highschool, Junior Achievers Club.
Friday afternoons we gther in the home science room for income generating projects. Baking, school uniform repairs, cooking tutorials…all of it. Peanut butter hacks? Of course. In fcat, most of the girls in the club make it just to get that so-totally-welcomed break from the every day butter and jam on our bread during breakfast and ten o’clock tea.
Whip up the same peanut butter in under 60 minutes with just 3 simple ingredients! Watching whole peanuts morph into the crunchiest, most delicious nut butter is pure magic. Its unbeatable crunchy-smooth texture outshines any store-bought brand. Once you taste it, you won’t be able to stop yourself from eating it straight from the spoon!
They’ll tell you that all you need, tool-wise, is a food processor, but uh…what???
You’re all set to make peanut butter in your brand new, for-this-process-only food processor. You toss in those peanuts, hit the button, and suddenly your kitchen sounds like a construction site. The motor heats up like it’s on vacation in the tropics, and then, bam! You’re left staring at a half-processed mess, thinking, “Did I just break my processor?”
Your average home food processor isn’t exactly a powerhouse. It’s like asking your grandma to bench press. You’re better off buying a nut butter machine.
The blades in your food processor get worn down, the motor gets overheated, and before you know it, you’re shopping for a new food processor. All that effort for a sad, incomplete PB&J? Come on.
Grinding peanuts with a mortar and pestle might sound like a workout, but with a few handy tips, you can make the process smoother and more efficient.
TIPS – MIY PEANUT BUTTER WITHOUT A FOOD PROCESSOR.
Always work with small batches. When you try to tackle too many peanuts at once, they have a tendency to jump out and slow you down. By using a smaller quantity, you gain better control, making the grinding process much more manageable.
Another trick is to make sure the peanuts are evenly heated – it soften them enough for easier, quicker crushing. A quick, even roast on a stainless steel pan over a hot flame is good. Warm peanuts are more cooperative and break down faster under the pestle, saving you some elbow grease.
Speaking of tools, make sure you’re using a sturdy mortar and pestle with a rough interior. The rough texture helps grip the peanuts, making grinding more effective and less slippery.
Oh, and technique? Go in pressed circular motion. Press down firmly and grind in a consistent, circular pattern. Pounding can cause the peanuts to leap out of the mortar, turning your kitchen into a nutty mess. A steady, circular motion keeps everything contained and ensures a more even grind.
To keep those pesky peanuts from escaping, try covering the top of the mortar with a cloth or a piece of plastic wrap.
Pro-tip? Adding a teeny tiny drop of peanut oil to the semi-crushed nuts helps make grinding easier.
Homemade peanutbutter recipe, without a food processor (or an oven)
Ingredients:
- 6 cups of raw peanuts
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 drops peanut oil
Instructions:
- Roast the Peanuts:
- Heat a large pan over an outdoor flame. Once hot, add the raw peanuts to the pan.
- Continuously stir the peanuts to ensure they roast evenly and don’t burn. This should take about 25-30 minutes. The peanuts are ready when they are peeling slightly and aromatic.
- Remove the peanuts from the pan and allow them to cool for 3 minutes.
- Grind the Peanuts:
- Place the warm roasted peanuts in a sturdy mortar. Grind the peanuts using a pestle in a circular motion, pressing down firmly.
- Add Sugar and Salt:
- As you grind, gradually add the sugar and salt. Continue grinding until the peanuts begin to form a smooth paste. This may take some time and effort, so be patient.
- Add Peanut Oil:
- Once the peanuts have formed a coarse paste, add the drops of peanut oil. This will help achieve a smoother and creamier consistency. Continue grinding until the peanut butter reaches your desired texture.
- Store the Peanut Butter:
- Transfer the freshly made peanut butter into an airtight container. You can store it at room temperature for up to a week or in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Tips:
- Adjust the amount of sugar and salt to taste. Some people prefer a sweeter or saltier peanut butter.
- If the peanut butter is too thick, you can add a few more drops of peanut oil until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Enjoy your homemade peanut butter, perfect for spreading on toast, making sandwiches, or dipping fruits and veggies!
