Foodie Friday: Creamy Coconut Cashew Butter

My name is Brittany and I’m a nut butter addict.

And I have no shame. I’m never without a variety of nut butters in the house, but since getting my Vitamix, they’ve only gotten better. Polish off a jar? No problem, let’s just make something else! The best part of making your own nut butter is scraping the bottom of the blender. Am I right?! 😉

Of course I didn’t bring it back to the computer with me.. like I said, no shame.

A couple months ago I found Coconut Cashews from Trader Joe’s. I figure if I can make nut butter with raw or roasted nuts, why not try this?

Go buy these now!

The result was an extremely flavorful, creamy, wonderful nut butter that I loved. What I didn’t love, however, was the added ingredients. Of course that meant the minute I ran out, I had to make my own without the extras. It’s so easy, it’s silly.

Creamy Coconut Cashew Butter

Make twelve 2 tbsp servings

Ingredients
– 2 cups cashews; roasted
– 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
– 1 tsp salt

Directions
Place all ingredients in a high-power blender or food processor and blend away! You may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times, but give it a couple minutes to get creamy.

I didn’t need to add any additional oil because of the natural oils in the cashews and coconut. I store my fresh nut butters in the fridge and they last months. I also recommend that you leave it out at room temp for a few minutes before spreading, scooping, etc to soften up a bit.

Nutritional Information
Per 2 tbsp serving

157 Calories  /  14g Fat  /  7g Carbs  /  1g Sugar  /  2g Fiber  /  4g Protein

Don’t want to stop there? Use this coconut cashew butter in my Minty Irish Powerballs for a St. Patty’s Day-approved treat 😉

Food for Thought

What is your favorite kind of nut [or seed] butter?
Are you making anything green for St. Patricks Day?

Foodie Friday: St. Patrick’s Day Recipe Round Up

What would a fun holiday be without a fun holiday recipe round up? I’m pretty sure you said “not fun” and I agree! And while I’ve never been big in partaking in the celebrations, I can certainly hop on board with the food- and drink-based excitement of it all.

[Breakfast]
Breakfast Reuben Sandwich – Closet Cooking
Corned Beef Hash with Carrots & Thyme – Coconut & Lime
Green Monster Spinach Smoothie – Iowa Girl Eats

Alright, so the smoothie might not be a traditional St. Patty’s Day treat, but with all of the treats around, you might want to have this recipe on hand for the next day 😉

[Snacks & Meals]
Honey Beer Bread – Gimme Some Oven
Reuben Rolls with Thousand Island Dip
Avocado Feta Dip – Two Peas & Their Pod
Corned Beef & Cabbage Soup – Skinnytaste

I love the twists on traditional fare, especially turning a heavier dish, like Corned Beef & Cabbage, into something lighter.

[Sweet Treats]
Minty Irish Powerballs – Barr & Table
Creamy Lime & Avocado Tart (Vegan + Gluten Free) – Eating Bird Food
Guinness-Milk Chocolate Ice Cream – Brown Eyed Baker
Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes – Brown Eyed Baker
Skinny(er) Shamrock Shake – Skinnytaste

A few indulgent options and a few healthier options as well. Take your pick! 🙂

Food for Thought

How will you be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year?

Minty Irish Powerballs

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, I had to take advantage and make something green. And because my original powerballs were such a hit [read: gone in an instant], why not play with that recipe? These new “Irish” powerballs are fun and delicious.

Makes 15 balls

Ingredients
– 1/3 cup homemade cashew butter [I chose cashew butter over other nut butters because of the lighter flavor, but any nut butter will work!]
– 1 tbsp coconut oil*
– 1/3 cup rolled oats
– 3 tbsp Perfect Fit Protein
– 1 tbsp ground flax*
– 1 tbsp chia seed*
– 1 tbsp hemp seed*
– 2 tbsp cacao nibs
– 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/4 tsp mint extract [adjust according to taste]
– 30 drops green food coloring

*These ingredients can be found on iHerb.com. Use code ZAF482 to receive $5 off of your first order.

Directions
Scoop cashew butter and coconut oil into a medium bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Add your green food coloring to this mixture and mix until fully incorporated. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well until combined. Refrigerate the mix for 10-15 minutes until it hardens up a bit. This will make it easier to roll the balls.

After refrigerating, measure out 1 tbsp per ball and roll to shape. Store in an air tight container in the fridge or freezer and hide from everyone else in the house 😉

Nutritional Information
Per 1 tbsp powerball

117 Calories  /  9g Fat  /  6g Carbs  /  2g Fiber  /  1g Sugar  /  4g Protein

Food for Thought

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Do you have any favorite St. Patty’s Day foods?