almond butter

This is seriously one of the easiest recipes; who knew?!

The main ingredients, almonds and patience.

It started two weeks ago, when I was out at a bar for my friends birthday and someone gifted her a couple jars of almond butter. I’m thinking “Ok, I need to get to know this girl”.  We immediately hit it off and started talking about recipes! She ensured me this was way easier than I thought.

In two weeks I’ve made at least 8 batches; altering and adding slightly different ingredients.

Here’s my favorite and most clean recipe:
2 cups of almonds
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
dash of Himalayan sea salt

Preheat the oven to 400 degree.
Line pan with tin foil, spread almonds out and slightly salt.
Roast for about 7 minutes in the middle of the oven.

While the almonds are still warm, place in Vitamix and start to grind.
The texture will turn from a grainy flour, then to a paste, and after a while, you’ll eventually obtain a pourable creamy butter.

This is where you need to be really patient.  It can take up to 20 minutes of just blending to reach your desired texture.  I typically run it on low, and do other things around the kitchen while I wait.

Check on it periodically to scrape down the edges and then blend some more!
Once it’s creamy: this is the point where I throw in the cinnamon and nutmeg.

Another flavor I am digging:
1 tsp cacao powder and 1/2tsp espresso powder (also top of my list)
you can also add maple syrup to sweeten it up a bit (just a tsp is plenty)

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PB&J Smoothie Bowl

PBJsmoothiebowl
1 pitaya packet
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1 frozen banana
Spoonful of PB
1/4-1/3 cup almond milk

Throw all ingredient in blender.  Add liquid slowly, until you achieve your desired consistency.
Top with:
sliced fresh strawberries
chia seeds
peanut butter melted with coconut oil
coconut chips
sprinkle of granola
goji berries

Peanut Butter Blueberry-Banana Smoothie Bowl

smoothieBOWL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 ½ frozen banana
4 oz frozen blueberry
1 large handful of spinach
1/2 Tbs peanut butter
¼ c almond milk
(1/2 scoop of Vega Vanilla Protein powder-optional)

toppings:
vegan chocolate chips
coconut shreds
blueberries
flax seed
granola
1 /2 PB melted with coconut oil

Blend all smoothie ingredients in Vitamix, may have to scrape sides several times.
Add the almond milk a little at a time to get the consistency you want
Scoop into bowl and garnish with your favorite toppings!

Pitaya Basil Bowl

pitayabasilbowl

1 frozen banana
½ pitaya packet
3 basil leaves
¼ cup frozen pineapple
¼ cup frozen raspberries
¼ cup coconutwater
½ scoop- Vega One Vanilla Protein

Blend well, can add more liquid until you get the desired consistency.
Top with your choice of fresh fruit and nuts and seeds: blueberry, blackberry, hempheart, ground flax seeds, goji berries.

Protein pumpkin Smoothie/Parfait

punpkin.parfait
¼ cup pumpkin
1 ½ frozen banana
½ cup mango
¼ cup peaches
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
½ scoop Vega French Vanilla Protein Powder
½ cup almond or coconut milk 

Blend in high speed blender
Top with crushed walnuts and more cinnamon
For parfait: layer in granola and chia seeds for extra goodness
Enjoy with pumpkin mini muffins on a crisp fall morning!

Basil-Berry Bowl

basilberryBOWLyou will need:

1 frozen banana
1 cup blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and blackberries
3 fresh basil leaves
handful of spinach
1/2 scoop french vanilla VegaOne Protein Powder
1/4-1/2 c. water

Blend!

Top with:
hemp heart
almonds
granola
blackberries
goji berries
basil leaves

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie

pumpkin smoothieyou will need:
¼ cup pumpkin
1 ½ frozen banana
½ cup mango
¼ cup peaches
dash of cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
½ scoop Vega French Vanilla Protein Powder
½ cup almond or coconut milk (or more to get desired consistency)

Blend in high speed blender (Vitimix works best)
Top with crushed walnuts and more cinnamon
Enjoy with pumpkin mini muffins on a crisp fall morning!