Nut butter

If there is one project you should try, this is it. Not only because it’s so easy, but nut butters are quite expensive to buy and often full of unnecessary oils and preservatives. Grab a handful of nuts or seeds, roast them, blend them with some honey and spices and you’ll end up with the most luscious, sweet spread that is just waiting for a thick slice of toast – or, if you are like me, simply a spoon. You can get creative with the combinations (the pepita and honey butter below is an absolute and unexpected knock-out), but try the simple Almond butter first so you can learn the process.

MAKES: 1 x 280 ml (10 oz) jar

INGREDIENTS

Almond butter

320 g (11¼ oz/2 cups) unsalted almonds

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

Chocolate & macadamia butter

300 g (10½ oz/2 cups) raw macadamia nuts

2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons good-quality unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

Pepita & honey butter

465 g (1 lb/3 cups) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons honey

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

maple peanut butter

280 g (10 oz/2 cups) unsalted roasted peanuts

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon melted coconut oil

EQUIPMENT

baking tray lined with baking paper

food processor

spatula

1 x 280 ml (10 oz) jar and lid

NUT BUTTER METHOD

1.

Prepare your oven: Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F).

Roast the nuts or seeds: Place the almonds, macadamias, pepitas or peanuts in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Roast until just golden, but do not let them brown. Almonds will take about 7 minutes, macadamias 10–20 minutes, and pepitas and peanuts about 10 minutes.

2.

Cool and blend: Let them cool slightly, then place in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and blend for 5 minutes, or until smooth. Be patient as the nuts or seeds will take the full 5 minutes to transform from powder to crumbs to clumps, and then to a smooth butter. If after 5–7 minutes the butter isn’t a lovely smooth paste, add an additional tablespoon of melted coconut oil.

3.

Bottle: Using a spatula, scrape your nut or pepita butter out of the food processor, into a clean jar. Screw the lid on tightly. The nut butter will keep on the shelf for up to 1 month, or in the fridge for up to 2 months. If you store it in the fridge, bring it to room temperature before using, to make it easier to spread.

HOW TO USE

  • Spread Pepita & honey butter thickly on freshly toasted sourdough bread, then top with banana, more honey and some toasted coconut flakes for a decadent breakfast.
  • Enrich a banana smoothie with a big tablespoon of Almond butter, a few dates and a sprinkling of cardamom seeds.
  • Swirl through softened ice cream.