As Nature Intended.
Have you ever caught yourself marveling at the absolute perfection of nature? Fluffy clouds inexplicably shaped like familiar everyday objects. Beautifully red and romantically heart-shaped strawberries. Honeycombs, flawless hexagons built by determined bees and filled with the sweetest honey. Shimmering lustrous pearls hidden inside unassuming oysters settled on the ocean floor. Bits of simple twigs and grass interwoven into a crib for eager baby birds all the while perched precariously in a tree braving wind and rain. The impeccable arc of a rainbow reflected off the tiniest raindrops brightening even the dreariest days.
Maybe I have too much time of my hands. It's an excellent possibility.
Today, while snapping photos of our budding crab apple tree in my pajamas, socks and sandals, I was visited by a little ladybug. She lazily buzzed down to the branch I was focused on and landed lightly on this sweet little flower bud. She was all too ready for her close up, sitting patiently and politely while I maxed out the space on my camera on her sweet little self.
Sometimes if you sit still long enough you notice these things. The consummate beauty of the world lays itself before you in the form of a shining beetle, ripples in a pond or a puffy bunny-shaped cloud.
The key is not to mess with nature. Take it as it is and appreciate it in its entirety. In the spirit of that lesson I've made Almond Butter. Simply almonds, toasted and pureed with a splash of oil and a hint of sea salt.
Almond Butter
Source: My imagination.
2 heaping cups almonds, blanched and toasted
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 – 3 tbsp olive oil
Note: If you prefer chunky Almond Butter, leave 1/2 cup of almonds out of the puree, rough chop them and stir them in when you're finished.
Printer-Friendly Version
After toasting a cooling your almonds puree them in a food processor for a few minutes until it begins to form a dough-like clump. Add the salt and just 1 tbsp of olive oil to start. You don't want to make your Almond Butter too thin and you can always add more.
Puree that for another few minutes until you're satisfied with the consistency and thickness, adding more oil as needed.
Store the Almond Butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!
Subscribe Via Email
Kitchen Inspiration
- A Cozy Kitchen
- Always With Butter
- Anne's Kitchen
- Annie's Eats
- Bakerella
- Bakers Royal
- Beyond the Plate
- Brown Eyed Baker
- Call Me Cupcake
- Chasing Delicious
- Cherry Tea Cakes
- Confessions of a Cookbook Queen
- Cooking for Seven
- Crackers
- Delish Living
- Dessert Stalking
- Desserts for Breakfast
- Food Gawker
- Gingerbread Bagels
- Gourmande In The Kitchen
- Honey and Jam
- How To: Simplify
- Joylicious
- Kitchen Karate
- Kitchen Korners
- La Tartine Gourmande
- Minimalista
- Mowielicious
- My Baking Addiction
- Pass The Sushi
- Piece of Cake
- Pioneer Woman
- Poires au Chocolat
- Raspberri Cupcakes
- Sing For Your Supper
- Smitten Kitchen
- Spoon Fork Bacon
- Sprinkle Bakes
- Sprouted Kitchen
- Sweetapolita
- Tartelette
- Taste Spotting
- The Cilantropist
- The Dog's Breakfast
- The Novice Chef
- The Purple Foodie
- Today's Nest
Design Inspiration
- Creature Comforts
- Design Dust
- Design is Mine
- Design Seeds
- Design Sponge
- Have and Hold
- Inspired Bride
- Keiko Lynn
- Polka Dot Bride
- Style Me Pretty
- The White Library
- Twig and Thistle
- Wedding Gawker
DIY Inspiration
- Craft Gawker
- Elisa McLaughlin Designs
- Etsy
- Funkytime
- iDiY
- Idle Wife
- Just Something I Made
- Oh Crafts
- P.S. I Made This
- Such Pretty Things
- The Art of Doing Stuff
May 18th, 2011 - 23:52
Love your source and the pink polka dot top on the jar. I’ve never tried making my own butters but I am certainly inspired to do so now.
May 19th, 2011 - 02:02
I know you’re asleep because I had to work late and I could just tell you this in the morning but yeah… I love the photos honey! I can’t wait to try some of your newest creation!
Also about the text you sent to me. Yes, yes they are!
Loves you!
xoxoxo
May 19th, 2011 - 10:59
I love you sweetie! You’re so cute! <3
May 19th, 2011 - 04:25
PJs and flipflops are excellent attire for camera shoots
Love Almonds so I know I’ve got to try this butter. Great photos and lovely presentation.
May 19th, 2011 - 04:28
Really beautiful and soooo yummy. I’ve not yet explored the homemade nut butters, but this post makes me want to sooo bad. Almonds are so good for you, I think I may put them on the grocery list and try your recipe.
May 19th, 2011 - 11:00
You definitely should! I’ve never tried an easier recipe with such wonderful results. You really get the toasted flavour out of them too.
May 19th, 2011 - 04:55
I love the lady bug story. Everyone should take a breather now and then to enjoy nature.
May 19th, 2011 - 05:53
What a wonderful post… I absolutely love the photograph of your little ladybug friend! Just gorgeous… Sounds like a lovely morning in your garden! and the almond butter (in that precious jar) looks fantastic! Thank you for sharing
May 19th, 2011 - 11:00
Thank you so much! I love the ladybug too.
May 19th, 2011 - 06:23
I love this post! Your photos are just stunning!! I’ve been talking about making almond butter for quite some time now, and I think you’ve given me the inspiration to finally stop talking about it and do it.
May 19th, 2011 - 07:42
Lady bugs have a special place in my heart. This is how I call my daughter in my native language. She seemed like a lady bug at birth beautiful, precious and tiny.
I love nuts butters and your looks so elegant. Great photos as usual.
May 19th, 2011 - 11:03
Ladybugs have a special place in my heart too. They’re me and my mom’s favorite tiny creature. I’m not a big fan of bugs, but ladybugs are a definite exception. Thank you for sharing that with me!
May 19th, 2011 - 08:23
Oh wow what a wonderful recipe and picture, presentation..Ok Let me just say I love it!!!:))))I love ladybugs so much that I have one my emails named as a ladybug hahaha ..
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos sweetie!!!!
May 19th, 2011 - 11:03
You’re very welcome Sandra! And thank you for your sweet compliments!
May 19th, 2011 - 14:16
It looks gorgeous in its own little jar with the ribbon… yum!
May 19th, 2011 - 17:50
Thank you for the reminder to stop and smell the roses…and watch the ladybugs. With the rush of every day, it’s definitely good to remember those things!
I do enjoy almond butter – this was my daughter’s first introduction to nut butters when she was young, I really should try to make my own one day
May 19th, 2011 - 18:29
Definitely Liren! This was the first time I had Almond Butter and I loved it!
May 19th, 2011 - 18:06
I’ve never had a nut butter (other then the old school jarred skippy) but I really want to try this.
May 19th, 2011 - 19:55
I love that you made your own Almond Butter. I made peanut butter once, it was so good. I am going to have to try this! Your pictures are amazing as well!
May 19th, 2011 - 20:25
Thank you so much Erin! I’m going to make a point of experimenting with all sorts of nut butters now.
May 24th, 2011 - 14:42
I love almond butter and homemade sounds delicious!