Almond butter is my absolute favourite spread to put on my toast in the morning, but holy cow, it's getting expensive - 12 bux a bottle! So, here is a recipe for all you nutters out there ;)
Ingredients
1 cup of almonds, cashews, pecans, sunflower or pumpkin seeds (choose organic) soaked overnight
2-4 tbsp of organic coconut oil
Dash of cinnamon or nutmeg
Dollop of raw honey
Method
Place nuts into a food processor and blend on high until nuts are powdery or desired texture. I like mine with a few chunks. Be careful not too "overblend" and denature the fatty acids (good fat).
Add oil into food processor, blend with nuts until the desired texture is reached.
Toss in some cinnamon for a little spice!
Spread on a slice of brown rice toast and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts About This Fabulous Nut Butter
A source of health promoting "good" fat. The same monosaturated fat found in olive oil, is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Good fat is essential for satiety, heart and brain health.
Nuts and almonds in particular, are a good source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and this is why researchers believe it lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Nuts are a natural and proven way to lower cholesterol.
A source of protein - a great way to start your day and fire your metabolism (fat-burning potential).
Coconut oil has incredible benefits that require a whole blog to write about, so here's the skinny on this fab fat: improves thyroid health & function, weight loss, improvement of chronic fatique and lowers cholesterol.
You may have noticed that I did not recommend peanuts for 2 reasons: 1. They are a highly sprayed crop 2. They are very high in a mold called "aflotoxin" which could be one of the reasons they are the most allergenic nut.
I look forward to hearing how your nut butter turns out!
Eat well | Live well | Be well
Joyous
Almond Butter photo credit: Domestifluff
[...] More here: Nuts About Nut Butter! [...]
Replywhy are mycotoxins found in peanuts bad for human consumption??
ReplyMycotoxins are a fungus that can cause a wide range of health concerns when ingested even in small amounts over a long period of time. For example if you eat peanut butter every day or a few times a week over a few months, the fungus can build up beyond what our immune system is capable of handling/clearing out and cause an array of health issues from skin rashes to headaches. Please visit Dr. Mercola's website for more information on mycotoxic foods: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/11/05/toxic-foods.aspx
Slightly devasted to hear peanuts are bad... I'm a peanut butter junkie! How long will a homemade nut butter stay fresh in the fridge?
ReplyHey Steph! It should be good for a couple of weeks. Add a tiny bit of good quality sea salt. joyous
I love it! So sweet and tasty. I can't wait for more recipes like this one.
Reply[...] http://joyoushealth.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/nuts-about-nut-butter/ [...]
ReplyCan you use extra virgin olive oil instead of coconut oil?
ReplyNot for cooking. Most of the beneficial properties of olive oil are diminished when heated. However, olive oil is great on a salad or poured over your pasta AFTER it's cooked. Thanks for your question!
[...] this smooth and nutritious recipe for making your own almond butter. Almond butter is a great snack to smooth onto a cut up granny smith apple or on a flaxseed [...]
ReplyHi Joy, Have you made this almond butter in your vitamix?
ReplyYou are so fantastic!!! I've become obsessed with your website and I spend most of my days reading all your posts. And I made an account JUST to post comments. I wish I'd found you sooner, and I wish you posted as much as you used to! You must be awful busy now though because you are so famous!!
ReplyGreat post. It is definitely getting expensive. What brands would you recommend?
ReplyHi Joy! I love making your nut butter but I noticed that although raw honey is in the ingredients, you don't use it in the recipe. Do you just spread it on your toast with the nut butter? Thanks! Sarah
ReplyHi Sarah, The raw honey's optional. You could add some to the nut butter while blending, or you could spread it on the toast with the nut butter as you suggest. Kate - Joyous Health Team
Hi Joy! I was wondering if you dehydrated your soaked almonds or just blended them while they were still wet?
ReplyHi Emily, You'll want to strain out extra water, but you can blend them while still wet. Kate - Joyous Health Team