REAL FOOD FRIDAY ....NUT BUTTA'S!

Okay, I'm coming out.... I am a Butter Snob... aka., Addict.

 I own or have tried every brand, type, texture etc.  

Now lets get one thing straight, there is NO such thing as owning too many jars... 

I mean, a spoonful like the above is a dessert alternative, an ingredient to the best recipes, 

and a pantry essential. All the while, exceptionally delicious, savory and nutritious.

My personal ranking system judged by the following 

1. Variety of __nut Butter

2. TASTE

3. BRAND

4. Nutritional Value

Considerations before buying a butter

1. Any Recalls?     FDA Recall List

2. Do I have this at home already? This question may only apply to me since I've yet to meet anyone who keeps so many jars and types on hand.. 

3. Ingredients? 5 max. keep it simple + NO ADDED SUGARS! ugh!

4. Almonds Vs. Peanuts

5. Organic? Better be!

AVOID the typical..

MASS-PRODUCED (Jiffy, Skippy, Peterpan..)

ADDED SUGARS

EXCESSIVE INGREDIENTS YOU CANNOT PRONOUNCE

When it says Natural! or makes claims about Great Taste?  ..its all Bull

Fancy flavors

Here is why Almonds have MORE health benefits than Peanuts...

Vitamin E

Almond butter has a nutritional advantage over peanut butter due to its vitamin E content. You use vitamin E to protect your cells from oxidative damage. As an antioxidant, vitamin E can neutralize free radicals, preventing these harmful chemicals from oxidizing your DNA and proteins, which damages your cells. Almond butter contains approximately 4 milligrams of vitamin E per tablespoon -- about 27 percent of your daily vitamin E requirements, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Peanut butter contains just 1 milligram of vitamin E per 1-tablespoon serving.

Magnesium

Switching from peanut butter to almond butter can also help you boost your magnesium intake. A tablespoon of almond butter contains 45 milligrams of magnesium -- 11 percent of the magnesium requirements for men and 14 percent for women, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. An equivalent serving of peanut butter contains just 26 milligrams. Magnesium contributes to the function of your nervous system, facilitates muscle contraction, makes up a component of healthy bone tissue and helps support your metabolism.

 

Iron

Opting for almond butter over peanut butter also proves advantageous due to almond butter's higher iron content. Iron promotes healthy oxygen transport -- it helps you make hemoglobin and myoglobin, two proteins that oxygenate your tissues. Like vitamin E, iron protects your cells from oxidative damage by helping to activate antioxidant enzymes in your cells. A tablespoon of almond butter contains 0.6 milligrams of iron, compared to 0.3 milligrams in a tablespoon of peanut butter. Each tablespoon of almond butter provides 8 percent of the daily iron requirements for men, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, and 3 percent for women.

Making Healthy Choices

Almond butter contains more of a few key vitamins and minerals, but both peanut and almond butters have a place in a healthy diet. Peanut butter offers some nutritional advantages. For example, it provides more selenium -- a mineral important to enzyme function -- than almond butter. Whether you opt for almond or peanut butters, try to select minimally processed nut butters. Some commercial varieties of peanut and almond butter contain added sugar and salt to add flavor, as well as additives that prevent oil separation. Choose varieties of peanut or almond butter made from nuts alone, with no added preservatives or additives.

Favorite Brand's

Justin's .... My Favorite Creamy butter ($$)

BARNEY 2nd Favorite ($$$)

Trader Joe's .. I mean you can't go wrong, creamy or crunchy, value and taste 5*'s. 

(RECENT RECALL)

MaraNatha Organic .. high quality. (RECENT RECALL)

Recipes

You can thank my best friend Kelly, aka Newbis, for being the baker in the relationship and for her epic cookie recipe, handed down by her grandmother...

Please advise, I'm replacing her ingredients with the ones that I keep stocked at my house in parentheses.

 Since these are the only times I can get a batch, because I demand she bake when she comes over).

Kelly's FAMOUS Peanut Butter Cookies

1 CUP of your favorite nut butter (Trader Joes Creamy)

1 CUP Sugar (Trader Joes Organic Coconut Sugar)

1 Egg

According to Kelly...

"I add a little flour (whole wheat or almond flour) just to thicken up the mixture, I find it bakes a little better"

Preheat and bake 350 F, 

Moderately small balls of dough on pan 

"..and I usually use a fork and make a plus sign, I feel like it gives it a little something extra"

Bake 6-8 minutes, depending on your cookie preference.

Wah-Lah!

 Your welcome and thank's Newb!

I'd love to read your Nut butter comments and Recipes!