Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter

I spent ages trying to think of a fancy title for this post, then I realised it didn't need one. I mean, 'salted chocolate peanut butter' drew you in fast enough, didn't it?


Salted chocolate peanut butter
This started out as ordinary peanut butter. We'd run out, I had a bag of peanuts, I threw them in the oven to roast them, then into the processor. Then I was thinking about a friend of mine with whom I share an abiding love for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and I threw in a handful of 50 per cent cocoa chocolate that was in the pantry. And a pinch of salt for luck. A few moments later I realised it was going to take a lot of willpower (or another bag of peanuts) if she was going to get any of it in her Christmas stocking. Here's how you do it.

200g raw peanuts
100g good quality dark chocolate, chopped
flaky sea salt, to taste (about 1/2 - 1tsp)

Preheat the oven to 200C. Tip the peanuts into a roasting dish, then put it in the hot oven for 10-15 minutes. Shake the dish occasionally and keep an eye on the peanuts - you want them golden brown and nutty smelling, not incinerated. Remove from the oven and let cool for five minutes, then tip them into the processor. Blitz until they form a grainy paste. They will make a hell of a racket and you'll think nothing is going to happen, but it will. Have faith. When it's looking more like a paste, tip in the chocolate and 1/2 tsp salt and whizz again. Taste and add more salt/whizz until it suits your palate. Scrape into a pretty (and clean) jar. Tie a ribbon around the top and attach a small spoon. The recipient will know exactly what it's for.

How are your Christmas preps going? Stay tuned for more last-minute ideas in the next week or so. Pin It

16 comments:

  1. This looks amazing to give as a gift, or just raid with a teaspoon in the dead of night....oops - did I say that out loud?

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  2. Lucy, I'm laughing as I'm reading this post. I love the way you start off by bunging a few things in a processor (not really knowing how it will end up) and Hey Presto, you have something as perfect as Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter.

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  3. Like the sound of this - that chocolate addition has to be good. What Christmas preps? I might start some on the afternoon of the 24th, but, then again, I might leave it a bit later this year.

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  4. You were right, that drew me in! Sounds amazing, will have to try to source raw peanuts though.

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  5. Salted chocolate peanut butter definitely says it all! I am so totally eating this straight from the jar!

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  6. oh yeah, the title totally drew me in. I am not sure if I will make this, I think I would be spooning it in gob all day...

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  7. Hehehehe, I thought this would find a willing audience. It is very spoonable... and Janice, I am sure you could make it with already roasted nuts, though go easy on the salt if they are salted, obviously.
    Might I suggest doubling the recipe - then you have some to eat straight from the processor and the rest to scrape into a jar...

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  8. Oh yes!! It's good. And roasted first. Positively evil!!

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  9. This looks like the stuff of dreams. I want some now!

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  10. How you ever had enough left after licking the bowl to put in a jar is beyond me :)
    Such a simple recipe for something so divine!

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  11. Oh yum! What a great idea. And what a great gift. But I already know it will never reach its destiny...

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  12. What a great idea and I love the saltiness in sweet stuff! I have to make this now!
    Karen

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  13. What a fabulous idea. A version of Nutella that I could actually eat. I'm dreaming of all sorts of things, but guess I'd be eating a lot of toast....

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  14. This sounds like such an excellent idea, I'm definitely going to have to try it out! I'm sure it could be used as a special ingredient in all manner of baked goods, but I highly doubt I'd have the will-power for that to happen without me eating the whole jar first!!

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  15. Turned out delish! had to share this recipe on our Bayhouse Facebook page. peacelove from the westcoast :-) - Jeremy

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