Mmmm Peanut Butter. Glorious Peanut Butter

The very first thing I ate on Easter Morning was a big honking spoonful of peanut better, and then I had another one. I ate it so fast I was like a dog trying to get it off the roof of my mouth, constantly licking and having trouble swallowing. This was all while CB was still in bed, it was early in the morning. I climbed back into bed, after satisfying my PB crack addiction, thinking CB was still asleep - "you reek of peanut butter" came his groggy morning voice from under the covers, "happy easter I guess." Yes, Jesus had risen, and I could once again eat peanut butter, it is was a good day.

Not being satisfied with the plain old peanut butter, I decided to toast up some almonds and try to make my own almond butter. I simply took the small tray from the toaster oven, laid out about 3/4 of a cup of almonds on it and toasted it for about 7 minutes. I then let the almonds cool and then put them in my little food processor with a little kosher salt and let her rip for about 5 minutes - blap dee bloo ALMOND BUTTER. It was good, rich, thick, a hint of salt, a success. CB has been eating it in the morning all week. When it's gone, I'm going to try to make another variation, maybe cinnamon raisin or ginger. Do you ever make your own nut butters? How do you do it?

PS. Its so good to be back. I missed this whole cooking and writing shit.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

I made a bunch of food for my birthday, and it's gone. Actually, this small dish of hummus was the only thing left over the next day. I didn't get pictures of the other stuff I made because I hate having to explain why I'm taking pictures of my food to people. So I didn't take pictures and posts without pictures is like a spoon without peanut butter on it, f'ing useless. So sorry, I'll have to make the food again and post about it another time.

In awesome birthday news CB got me the newest version of the Garmin GPS running watch for my birthday and I could not be happier, I've waited for this damn watch since the started making it about 5 years ago and I finally have it. YEAH! And my mother-in-law mailed me the Veganomicon cookbook for my birthday so I won't bitch and moan about her at all in this one post. I can't wait to make the recipes in that book when I get back. So, yes, when I get back, whirlwind business trips start tomorrow. See you at the end of the month. LATER.

Roasted Garlic Hummus (Reduced Fat)

For this recipe I simply took the tired and true ATK, Best Light Recipes version and added two whole heads of garlic that I toasted in the oven at 400 degrees for 1 hour. I took the bulbs, cut off the tops so there was a flat top surface and the garlic was exposed, poured a little olive oil over the garlic, wrapped it in foil and placed on a cookie sheet in the oven for 1 hour. I let it cool then squeezed the garlic goodness into the hummus as I processed it. YUM!

Rating = So Damn Good

International Women's Day....and My Birthday

So Saturday is International Women's Day. It's also my birthday, which I find appropriate because I'm a raging feminist...oh wait, that's not right...I'm a raging bitch. Kidding? don't count on it. I had no idea that March 8th was International Women's Day, and I'm not sure how one is supposed to go around celebrating such an occasion, but I intend to spend it with friends, maybe drink a little too much wine, and eat a little too much delightfully rich food and then open presents from my dear husband who always is so thoughtful with gifts, especially birthday gifts.

I also want to mention that I didn't post this week because I was in Pittsburgh for work, which in and of itself was a bit blah, but I did find a few hours to spent some time in the Andy Warhol Museum which was a lot of fun. If you find yourself in Pittsburgh with a little time to spare, do check it out. There was an amazing installation there by an artist names Ron Mueck that was just one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. If you have the opportunity to see one of his installations, please go, see it.

And I do have to mention that March is one of my busiest months for work and I will be all but absent from the blog until the end of March. I will try to post some things here and there, but this will probably be it until at least March 26th when my business travel will ease.

I wish you all a very happy, healthy, daylight savings time enjoying month and I can't wait to write to you at the end of it.

All my best - talk to you soon. JB