I don’t know what took me so long. You know I love my marcona almonds. Their flavor is distinct and incomparable.
A Spanish almond roasted in olive oil and salted, Marconas have a smooth texture and amazing flavor. They offer the same nutritional benefit as regular almonds, including cholesterol lowering phytosterols and a good amount of fiber and protein.
and now they make up my favorite nut butter.
marcona almond butter
makes about 1 1/2 cups
2 cups Marcona almonds (reserve 1/4 cup)
1-2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
pinch sea salt (optional)
In food processor or high powered blender, process 1 3/4 cups almonds until creamy, stopping to scrape sides, about 9-12 minutes total. Add oil as needed (I did not need to). Chop 1/4 cup almonds and mix in for a crunchy nut butter. Store in fridge in sealed container.
Flavor options:
chocolate (add 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate)
salted maple (add 1/4 cup maple syrup)
Safe to say this is my new favorite nut butter. “Plain” flavor is amazing – salty creamy amazing. The dark chocolate flavor is like a grown up peanut butter cup, and the salted maple is like buttery caramel. I now have three jars in my fridge. I’ve been enjoying marcona butter on celery, on homemade juice pulp crackers, on a spoon…
Have you tasted Marcona almonds? What is your favorite nut?
Peanut butter and Chocolate. Always a classic combination, even if the recipe isn’t so classic. or even a recipe, really.
I am still reeling over my amazing weekend, and will recap every detail soon. I’m still on a plant-based high with a goofy grin, and there are some people still in Portland for a few more days so I’m spending time with new friends!
I managed to develop quite the sweet tooth as a result of all the amazing food we enjoyed this weekend. In three days. I crave sweets now, wanting dessert after dinner. Breakfast and lunch too, if I’m being honest.
Today I have the honor of guest posting for my friend Eden – whose blog I love for many reasons – she makes me laugh, inspires me to think, and instigates many fun comment conversations. So when she asked me to guest post, I put my thinking laptop on to come up with something fun.
This satisfies that sweet tooth.
The breakfast one.
The theme is “not on my blog” – visit Eden to see what I have to say.
What is your favorite chocolate peanut butter combination?
Portland is already a vegan playground, and this weekend even more vegans (over 200!) will be running around our beautiful city. I am excited to be attending the first ever vegan bloggers conference, Vida Vegan!
The events begin this afternoon, and despite my molasses pace of blogging, I will attempt to post updates about the happenings. Or a recap next week. I’m excited!
Another recent excitement is becoming yummly certified.
Yummly is a sematic recipe search platform, comprehensive and custom to your food and dietary preferences.
They recently crowned spabettie as Certified Yummly, and today spabettie is their Featured Food Blog. Thank you, Yummly, and thanks to all of my readers who make this blog so fun!
Both of these things are definitely squee – worthy, but wait, there’s more!
Perhaps the most exciting, my friend Nellie is in Portland for two whole weeks! Fun, interesting conversation and cry-laughing, I can’t wait to see her again. She’s fun. Time to put on my tutu…
or my sparkly wings.
What are you doing this weekend?
