How to Make Peanut Butter

You can make your very own peanut butter in your home. If you can find inexpensive supply of peanuts, it can actually be more cost effective to produce your own batch. So to start making your homemade peanut butter…
The ingredients needed: 2 cups of roasted peanuts and 1 ½ teaspoons of vegetable oil.
Next follow these easy steps.
1. Pour 2 cups of roasted peanuts into a food processor bowl that has metal food processor blade attached.
2. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil. Cover the bowl with the food processor lid and chop up the peanuts continuously for 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture forms a ball.
3. Scrape down the food processor bowl, if needed, when processing the peanuts.
4. Spoon peanut butter into a jar and seal. Store in the refrigerator.
You will need a spatula and a food processor.
Add a touch of salt if necessary! For a sweeter taste add some brown sugar and molasses. With everything you have learned, now you can even make your own peanut butter using this easy recipe. Have fun making your homemade peanut butter!

All thanks to peanut butter!

I have an adorable boxer named Kassie. She is about nine years old (sixty-three in dog years). We recently found out that she has a heart disease which causes her to faint at random times. It took the veterinarians a long to figure out what exactly was wrong. Now that they have correctly diagnosed her heart condition they prescribed a medicine that she must take every morning. So by now you might be wondering what this has to do with peanut butter…I am getting to that. Kassie hated the medicine and would refuse to take it so my mom asked the vets about any advice to give my dog the medicine so her heart will remain healthy. The vets suggested putting the pill in a dish with a little cream cheese. Kassie proceeded to refuse to take her medicine until my mom had a great idea to use peanut butter. After witnessing Kassie lick up the peanut butter remnants after she dropped a sandwich she was making, my mom decided to put her pill in a dish with peanut butter. Kassie no longer refuses to not take her pill and has not experienced any more fainting. She devours it and actually looks for more even after her medicine is gone. My dog is a peanut butter lover and more importantly has a healthy heart!

A Familiar Smell...

On the food field trip at the "Chattabox," the last dish smelled somewhat familiar. The Pad Thai dish ingredients include peanuts. It reminded me of peanut butter and how the smell of some foods could influence a person's decision to try it. I was surprised that peanuts were used as an ingredient. After thinking about smell and connection to food, I was talking to a friend about his experience with peanut butter. Since he was in kindergarten his mother made him a peanut butter sandwich EVERYDAY! So for his whole school career he ate the same thing. Today he cannot even smell anything peanut butter because it makes his stomach turn. It is funny how this affected his desire to eat a common, popular food. In contrast, I talked to someone who really enjoys peanut butter. His best friend was at the cafe the other day and made a peanut butter, bacon, and banana sandwich. He toasted the bread and poured on the peanut butter. It was a strange combination but he swore it was the best combination. He has it every morning for breakfast at home. It is interesting the various hatred and love of peanut butter and nice to know this won't come between friends.

Peanut Butter to the Rescue

Can peanut butter solve malnutrition? I was reading an article that reports on research of how a supplement of peanut butter given to children in Malawi helped treat malnutrition. In Malawi (in southeast Africa) one out of eight children dies because they do not get enough food. This is a really scary statistic! The supplement given to them is basically peanut butter, with added vitamins, minerals, some sugar and a little bit of milk powder. In the hospital that distributed this peanut butter supplement, 93% of the children made a full recovery. Researchers are hoping to use this peanut butter food in more hospitals in the country. A similar product is used to temporarily feed children in war-torn parts of the countries. Many nutrition researchers were hesitant to use peanut butter to prevent malnutrition because of the potential of food allergies. However the results in Malawi may indicate that food allergies should not be a concern. They did test feedings while the children were in the hospital, and out of the 500 children helped by this peanut butter project not one had an allergy. Food allergies in developing countries seem to be less than the percentages in the United States and hopefully this peanut butter food can assist in fighting malnutrition.

Peanut Butter Pet Peeve

At brunch the other day one of my friends was talking about how a pet peeve she has about peanut butter is when the oil separates. She was also talking about no salt peanut butter that her mom buys for her father because it is healthier. No salt peanut butter? I wondered what this would taste like. She said not the best peanut butter she has ever had. The reason this happens is because of absence of partially hydrogenated oil. This means natural peanut butter is healthier than normal peanut butter, but it also alters its consistency. To solve this pet peeve of my friend and any future oil dilemmas the natural peanut butter should be kept in the fridge. Then the taste will stay fresh and the oils will not separate. It was interesting that she said that even her regular peanut butter would sometimes separate as well. I said I never had this problem and we concluded it must be because I use my peanut butter at least every other day if not more.

Peanut Popularity vs. Allergies

In a previous post I briefly talked about peanut allergies and peanut-free schools. I was reading an article in the Patriot Ledger about how schools are balancing the peanut popularity and allergy worries. I never thought about how kids with these allergies felt but reading the article it made me realize that they do not want to be treated any differently from a peer without allergies. Being singled out is very difficult from some kids especially those that experience severe allergies and have to sit at separate table. One parent of a student with a peanut allergy responded to parents’ complaints saying if they were at the hospital for the 8 hours with their child they would feel differently. Today 400,000 children in the United States suffer from peanut allergies and this number has practically doubled in the last 5 years. In school systems they are attempting to be “peanut free” or at the very least “peanut aware.” In Norwell their cafeteria uses computer technology to alert cashiers if the student has an allergy. This way they can double check to make sure that everything on their tray is safe for them to consume. This is a problem that school officials have to take seriously. It is important for these students to be around peanuts so they can be prepared for being exposed to them in the real world.

We go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly...

Have you ever heard this expression or maybe seen the Facebook bumper sticker of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich holding hands? I was wondering when and where the actual salty and sweet combination originated. No one really knows the exact history about when or where this sandwich was created. Peanut butter was not invented until the late 1890’s, and there is no mention of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before the 1940’s. It seems strange that it was not sooner since we view it as such a typical school lunch. Peanut butter and jelly were both on the military rations lists and it is speculated that American soldiers added jelly to make peanut butter easier to eat. Returning service men helped the peanut butter and jelly combination cause. Additionally, food rationing at home may have added to the popularity of this combination. Because peanut butter was cheap and a good source of protein, it was purchased more than expensive cheese and meats. It was certainly a big hit and has remained post World War II.

There's no wrong way to eat a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup!

With Easter coming up, I began reminiscing about the different kinds of candy found in our eggs. One of my favorite treats are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It is the perfect treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers because the combination is just right. Remember those commercials for Reese’s proclaiming “there is no wrong way to eat a Resse’s!” I was searching on Youtube and found many different ways to eat one. Some prefer to nibble, some will bit off the ends, while others are able to make a whole in the middle. The perfect blend of peanut butter and chocolate is a great dessert and even better the Reese’s peanut butter cups bite-size easily fit into Easter eggs. I hope I have some in my basket this year. Check out how Roger eats a Reese's peanut butter cup.

Then, compare it to how Mr. Sullivan eats a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Peanut Butter in the Cafes

At work the other day, my coworker brought her lunch from the ECC. Instead of making the sandwich with the peanut butter she put it in a soup lid so her sandwich would not get soggy. She said “I know it looks gross. I hate the peanut butter from the ECC, but its all they have.” She prefers the packet of peanut butter from the Commuter Café because she feels uneasy about leaving the peanut butter exposed to the air is bad. Is the packaged peanut butter at Commuter better than the ECC? At Tilly dining hall they leave the peanut butter out but surround the container with ice. Does this mean that peanut butter should be refrigerated? When I was researching, I remember how every morning that I made breakfast in high school when I was half asleep I would always put the peanut butter in the fridge. I have no idea why and when I cam back from school I would open the fridge and laugh at myself. I did it again in my dorm room just last week when I was finished making peanut butter crackers. It must be a habit. Peanut butter does not need to be put in the refrigerator. I guess it is a personal choice. It does not save it from spoiling as with many other foods prolonged exposure to air will expire it. However in the case of the peanut butter in the cafeterias it is used up so quickly that it will not go bad and is completely safe to eat. One important fact to note though is that natural peanut butter may need to be refrigerated.

Salmonella Outbreak in Peanut Butter

When we were discussing dangerous food, one student in class mentioned something about the recalling of Peter Pan peanut butter. The reason for this was due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee (a bacterium that causes food borne illness). If consumers purchased this brand after May 2006 the jars could have been contaminated and should have been thrown away. The outbreak affected 290 people across the nation. The peanut butter as a source for salmonella is not common and the reason it took health officials so long to track it down. In addition to Peter Pan peanut butter, Wal-Mart’s brand Great Value (made by the same company) was also recalled due to the risk. All the contaminated jars were identified beginning with the code “2111” on the lid of the jar. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In people with weakened immune systems and very young children, salmonella can invade the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections. Companies have started to randomly test jars on peanut butter in the production line to test for salmonella.

Peanut, peanut butter and Jelly!!

Peanut, peanut butterAnd jelly! Peanut, peanut butter And jelly! First you take the peanuts And you crunch 'em, Then you take the grapes And you squish 'em, Then you take the bread And you spread it,Then you take your sandwich And you eat it, you eat it. Cause it's Peanut, peanut butter And jelly. Peanut, peanut butter And jelly!

Anyone remember this song from their childhood?? My suitemate started singing it the other day and it reminded me of when I was in preschool. During circle time we would sing this song and act out making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. All of a sudden when she started singing it the lyrics and tune came back to me. In fourth grade my brother had to do a how-to project and he decided to do his project on “How to make a peanut butter sandwich.” This how to needed to list out each step necessary to make a peanut butter sandwich. If you think about it making a peanut butter sandwich has a lot of steps that are performed automatically. Imagine having to follow step-by-step directions as to how to make a peanut butter sandwich. What if we had to crunch the peanuts or squish the grapes? It is interesting that children will sing this song, however, all they really have to do is take out the peanut butter jar and the jelly jar and then eat it ‘cause its good, peanut butter and jelly!

Different Combinations

I tutor a 7th grader from Bridgewater twice a week just helping him with homework and projects. When I arrived the other day he was having a peanut butter and banana snack. I asked him what he liked about the combination, and simply replied “It’s good.” Shortly after he elaborated a little more and said it was his favorite combination and sometimes he even puts slice of bananas in his sandwich. I went home this weekend and realized it was my sister’s favorite combo too! The fried peanut butter banana sandwich is known as Elvis’s sandwich choice. I thought about more combinations that could be made with peanut butter and discussed it with friends. Instead of the cliché Pb & j combo why not try a new unique concoction. Besides bananas, try honey, bacon, cheese, pickles, marshmallows, chips, crackers, mayo, and fried eggs. (maybe even a little bit of chocolate) I wonder what other combinations can be discovered and created by experimenting with peanut butter.

Nutritious Snack

Is peanut butter good for you? Like most nut butters, peanut butter is high in fat and calories (about 190 calories and 16 grams of fat per 2 tablespoons.) The 190 investment does provide alot of nutrition for every bite. Peanut butter is a great source for protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The following link breaks down the nutrients in peanut butter and shows the importance based on a 2,000 calorie diet... http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com/nutrition/nuttable.html.

Peanut butter contains around 30 percent protein, and is also a worthwhile source of iron, niacin (vitamin B3) and fiber. However it is important to remember that not all brands of peanut butter are equally healthy. In fact, some contain unwanted additives that do more harm than good. So before you buy your next jar, be sure to check the ingredients. Another recent development of peanut butter's importance was released in 2003 when the Food and Drug Administration approved a health claim for peanuts, and other tree nuts. Scientific evidence suggests that eating 1.5 ounces per day as a part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. So all you peanut butter lovers, take care of you heart and eat some peanut butter.

Skippy: Fun facts

Random fun facts about peanut butter…

Did you know that it takes 772 peanuts to make a 16.3 oz jar of peanut butter! That is a ton of peanuts. Also almost 90 million jars of Skippy Peanut Butter are sold annually. Imagine three jars of peanut butter being taken of the shelf every second, that is the amount sold in one year. Who knew peanut butter was so popular. Can you guess the state that produces the most peanut butter? Georgia is the number one peanut producing state followed closely by Texas. In the last year, more than 75% of all American families purchased peanut butter. Apparently, peanut butter is quite a popular food for American families.

New Use for Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a quick fix solution to bubble gum stuck in your hair. Who would have guessed! I used to have competitions when I was younger with my friends to see who could blow the biggest bubble. Sometimes when the bubble pops the gum can get in your hair and it is stuck. Or ever fallen asleep with gum in your mouth? Before the scissors come out and it is time for a new shorter style grab a handy jar of peanut butter. Simply coat the area with creamy peanut butter and then the gum will magically slid out. If it is a stickier gum situation coat the area with peanut butter and wrap it up in a napkin for about ten minutes. Then using shampoo work it into the gum/peanut butter hair mess, rinse with warm water, and ta-da! No more gum in the hair. Remember this little magic trick next time an unfortunate mishap occurs.

Peanut Butter Lovers

This is for all you peanut butter lovers. For part of my research I have been asking EVERYONE and ANYONE about their thoughts and feelings concerning peanut butter. Most of the students at the after school care I work at say they love peanut butter and have even taught me a song about the food. I have always considered myself a devout fan of peanut butter. I can eat it almost every single day and never grow tired of the gooey sticky substance. However the other day I asked an acquaintance about their love of peanut butter. They said that a person is not a true supporter of peanut butter if they did not load a peanut butter on bread, crackers, etc. According to this person (who will remain unnamed) you can never have enough peanut butter. I beg to differ because I think that there can be such a thing as too much peanut butter. No one likes not being able to talk because the roof of their mouth is stuck due to too much peanut butter. This is a common experience with too much peanut butter. Despite others opinions I know I am a peanut butter lover.

Brief History of Peanut Butter

Where did peanut butter come from? Also referred to as peanut paste, peanut butter has been reinvented over many years. The original peanut butter was found in South America and used by the Incas as a form of paste. The earliest nominee for the invention of peanut butter was Rose Davis from New York. Her son had traveled to Cuba and saw the women grinding peanuts and smearing it on bread. Rose tried to use this practice in her own home. One interesting fact from peanut butter’s past was it was actually used as a vegetarian protein supplement for people with bad teeth. W.K. Kellogg patented one of the first process for making peanut butter but used steamed peanuts instead of roasted (pictured above).

When did peanut butter become what we know it as today? A man named Joseph L. Rosefield developed modern technology to keep the oil from separating. He was able to receive a patent for peanut butter with a shelf life of a year. He was apart of the Swift and Co. that sold “Peter Pan” peanut butter. In 1932 Rosefield left the company and formed his own. He began selling “Skippy” peanut butter. Today walking down the supermarket aisles the numerous amounts of brands of peanut butter can be overwhelming. The best selling peanut butter in the United States is “Jif” however I am a big fan of creamy “Skippy” peanut butter. I guess its personal preference.

The Perfect Peanut Butter Sandwich

Making the perfect peanut butter sandwich is definitely based on personal preference. Do you completely cover one slice of bread from corner to corner with a thick layer of peanut butter? Do you prefer using jelly or fluff with peanut butter or just peanut butter? I have had the experience of having a peanut butter sandwich with too much peanut butter. It made the roof of my mouth stick to my tongue and it was not a pleasant experience. My favorite way to make a peanut sandwich is to toast two slices of bread lightly and then directly after popping up from the toaster smear a little peanut butter on each side. The peanut butter melts onto the bread and is still warm if you eat it right away while the bread has a crunch (with a big glass of chocolate milk!) It is the best. The crunchy vs. creamy debate is a whole other issue and will need further investigation.

Political Peanut Butter

How many times did you bring a Pb and j sandwich to lunch? When my mom made my lunch in elementary school a safe bet was always a peanut butter sandwich. I always enjoyed it and rarely got sick of eating it for lunch. Today bringing a peanut butter sandwich to school is sometimes not as easy. Many children in schools today have a peanut allergy that makes it dangerous to be around any kind of peanut products. I work at an after school care program and one of the kindergarteners informed me that the "big" kids came to eat lunch with them in their classroom. On gym days the kids eat lunch in their classrooms because their cafe and gym are one in the same. I thought that the 4th graders came to help out the kindergarteners during lunch time but it turns out that they have a peanut allergy and could not be in their classroom among their peers who had peanut butter sandwiches. The kindergarten also has students with peanut allergies so on Tuesdays (gym day) the kindergarteners are not allowed to bring in peanut products. This issue was addressed in the beginning of the school year. I asked the teacher about this issue and she elaborated on this issue saying that during regular lunch times the students sit at a separate table and bring along one friend to sit with them. She also stated that no school can advertise "Peanut Free" because peanut oils can be used in bread, cake etc. Unless school specifically knows every ingredient their students, faculty, and staff are eating they cannot say their school is "peanut" free. I am going to research this issue more in future postings.

mMmMm Peanut Butter

It's peanut butter jelly time...or peanut butter and fluff, or peanut butter and bananas! Ever take a minute to think about how many peanut butter combinations can be created? This blog will try to reveal such combinations, interesting facts from my research, as well as provide a deeper look into this delicious food option. In addition I will be looking at the political controversy associated with peanut butter. It can be a sticky mess!