When my favorite grocery delivery company sent me a five pound bag of organic almonds instead of a one pounder, I wondered what I would do with all of them when they said I should just keep them.
My first thought was marzipan, one of my favorite deserts and an ingredient in my fave almond cookies.
Then, when I went to buy Almond Butter at the store to include in one of Dr Oz's smoothies, I quickly looked up how to make it.
It didn't seem that hard, and it's not, the recipe follows.
I made it when I came home. Simple enough.
When it came time to store it in something, my immediate thought was a Mason Jar.
Then I remembered a commercial for a popular brand of peanut butter that now comes in a squeezable pouch.
I used one of our Well Life small reusable silicone storage bags with the slider closure.
Using one of our great Well Life spatulas, I scooped it into the bag, squoze (that is a word, I just looked it up) the air out and slid on the clip to shut it.
Now when I need some, I push the slider back a little and squeeze out some Almond Butter!
Just be sure to wipe the "spout" off before you slide it shut and you're good to go!
Easy Almond Butter
2 cups Almonds, you can use raw or roasted. I used roasted because, well, I had five pounds of them!
1 tsp Kosher Salt to taste
Place the almonds in a shallow pan or baking dish and place in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes, a few minutes longer if you are using raw almonds. This is key because the heat releases the oils and makes the almonds easier to blend.
Let them cool slightly if they got too hot but they must remain at least warm to the touch.
Place in a food processor or blender, I used my Ninja blender.
Start by pulsing, then leave on for a few minutes at a time, stopping to scrape down sides and stir up from the bottom.
Midway through it will look like almond meal and just when you think it will never turn into almond butter, it does! For a few minutes I thought I was going to have to add oil, I am so glad I just hung in there. Patience paid off!
Then I just scooped it into one of our Well Life Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags.
It is so good! I'll make the marzipan next!