Most people that know me quickly learn of my love complete obsession with peanut butter and almond butter. If there's no PB in the house, we are in trouble! I may have also become somewhat of a PB snob. I like fresh, real PB and AB. I have a favorite vendor from the farmer's market who sells my favorite raw almonds and almond butter (which I send money to friends and have mailed to me) and thanks to other friends, I learned that the co-op gives you the option to grind your own AB which was heaven (I just wish I would have learned of this sooner)! I found a place here that sells fresh made peanut butter as well and I have been contemplating just making my own. I will eat it by the spoonfuls, on a slice of bread for a quick snack with a little agave or honey and cinnamon, in my smoothies, in oatmeal, on crackers, celery, cookies, in brownies, and I even made my very first PB, cheese, and lettuce sandwich today, thanks to the suggestion of a friend that did it and swore it was good, and it was GOOD! How could it not be? PB and cheese, two of my favorite foods combined with a yummy ancient grain bread (which has quickly become my new favorite loaded with spelt, amaranth, quinoa, millet, and a bunch more) and some lettuce. YUM.
I stumbled upon these little gems last year on pinterest and they quickly became one of my favorite little snacks/desserts/pre-run or workout snack. I've had a hankering for them lately and hadn't made them since we arrived here. I modified them a bit from the original recipe but they are balls made from mostly PB, oats, ground flaxseed, ground maca (first time, but will be a staple from here on out), and chia seeds. That's the base I always start with and I add different things to them every time according to what I have in the pantry but almost always add a little bit of dark chocolate chips, coconut chips (or toasted flakes), and dried fruit (usually raisins or cranberries). I've also added pecans, walnuts and veggie based protein powder before. You can add anything! Just remember, the more dry ingredients you add, the more wetness you'll need from the agave or honey and PB. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, refrigerate for about 30 mins, then use an ice cream scoop to roll into small balls, voila! I separate my stacks with wax paper but I'm sure they would be fine without and keep them in the fridge. I love them!
I doubled the batch this time around and made just a few too many, if that is even possible. D can take a container to work to snack on...if they don't "accidentally" get pushed behind stuff in the fridge and he just happens to not see them and forgets them...accidentally of course! ;)
Give them a try...you won't regret it :)
