Melting Away the Pounds

…And then putting the pounds back on in the form of nut butter.  I’ll get to that in a second.

Earlier last night I completed Level 1 of Jillian Michaels’ Shred.  I decided it is time for me to shred something other than cheese.  For 20 minutes it’s a decent work-out and I know I’ll feel it in my arms in the morning. A nice alternative to putting on your boots and going to the gym in the middle of an upstate freeze.

Later, as a kind-of closing ceremony for last week’s Eating Down the Fridge, I used up pecans I had in my cupboard to replace the jar of peanut butter I polished off this weekend.  I had a previous love affair with homemade pecan butter when the Boyfriend brought some home for me this summer, so I’ve been dying to try my hand at it.  This is my recipe:

Pecan Butter

2 c. pecans

3 t. canola oil

1/4 t. kosher salt

1/2 t. honey

Before

Pecan tornado!

After

Blend the pecans first in a food processor, then add the other three ingredients.  Adjust amount to your taste.

I did not roast the pecans but I believe the butter would have turned out differently if I had.  I’m happy with the consistency and taste, but play around with the recipe yourself and let me know how it goes! All great recipes are born of experimentation!

I foresee this being delicious on morning toast and in oatmeal.

Some final thoughts on EDF: Due to an abundance of birthdays plus a weekend spent visiting family, I did not cook as much as I normally do, and therefore didn’t scour my cupboards to fully experience EDF.  When I did make dinner, though, I tried to think outside the recipe box. Try practicing EDF on your own pantry.  I promise you will save yourself a bundle and come up with some unusual and wonderful dishes.  One night I used apple butter to make a glaze for some roasted vegetables.  It was unexpected and delicious.  Experiment on your own and tell me how it goes! And to read how other bloggers handled EDF, check out the guest posts at Licking Your Chops.