Peanut Butter, Pretzels, and Spicy Beans

Mmm, what’s this?

A new topping for my oatmeal, methinks? It’s not all that new, actually, but I did make it myself, and it was GOOD!

Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter. Henceforth known as CC Yum.

Start with some fresh peanuts.

(Have you ever looked at a peanut? I mean, REALLY looked?? They’re so many different colors, not just beige and tan.)

Partially pureed:

Fully pureed:

Melt chocolate, add, mix:

Valrhona Manjari 64%

Made with milk chocolate (for Peter), and dark chocolate (for muah):

Don’t worry Saratoga PB Company, you will always be my one true love. (Well, fourth love, after Peter and Maddle and Bon. Oh, and my father and sisters. And Peter’s parents and siblings. And our other family and friends. Ok, Saratoga, you’re not in the top ten but you’re pretty high up there.)

Needless to say, I had to have a little of the CC Yum on a rice cake this afternoon:

With two new jams:

MUCH better than the Polaner preserves, and no HFCS. Lynn and Samantha, I tried to find Crofter’s and E.D. Smith at the local Stop & Shop, but no where to be found! 🙁 I’ll keep looking. The Smucker’s and Bonne Mamam were wonderfully sweet and delicious, though.

Peter started making pretzels last night:

(Shortly after this picture was taken, I heard a “pssst” “Ahhhh!” “pssst” “Ahhhh!” coming from the kitchen. Apparently, Peter sprayed himself in the face with Pam while getting the pretzels ready to rest in the fridge. My question is: how did he manage to spray himself twice??)

The recipe is from Peter Reinhart’s Artisan Breads Every Day. This book has been great to bake from so far. Take a look!

Ready for the oven:

Fresh out of the oven:

Peter sprinkled each pretzel with two types of salt (regular, smoked) and garlic.

The Aerogarden provides good light when there is none to be found outside.

On the dinner menu: Spicy Curry Peas and Beans with Cauliflower

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 can chick peas
1 can beans of choice (I used pinto beans)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp tumeric
1 tbsp coriander, ground
1 tsp paprika (I used a sweet Spanish smoked paprika)
2 tsp sweet curry powder
1 cup water
2 tbsp lime juice
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
2 cups cauliflower, chopped
Cilantro (optional)

Spices:

Peter made our spice rack last summer:

He labeled each spice container himself:

Anyhoo, back to the food! Garlic sitting out before cooking:

Heat oil over medium heat and saute onions until soft. Meanwhile, drain and rinse beans:

After onions are soft, add the garlic and all the spices. Saute for 30 seconds:

(Side note: If you can, I always recommend grinding all your spices. I wish I could have you smell this fresh-ground coriander seed: sweet and spicy!)

Add beans and chick peas to pan, then add water:

Add cauliflower, jalapeno, and lime juice to mixture. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes.

Top with cilantro and enjoy with rice or pitas!

Spicy and delicious. I’d bet this would be great with coconut milk and ginger also.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Q: Have you ever had cilantro? Do you like it? If so, what is your favorite dish with cilantro?

Edited to add: I’ve just found out who had the idea for the awesome spicy roasted broccoli I made on this day: it was Veggies ‘N’ Cake! Thanks for the great idea! 🙂

23 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness!! Your CC Yum looks amazing!! And homemade pretzels too?!! I wanna come over to your house next weekend!!

    1. Haha, when you have Peter as a husband, every meal is an adventure!

  2. Mmmm your dinner looks delicious! And I can’t believe you made that amazing dark chocolate peanut butter- it looks out of this world!
    I do like cilantro. My favorite time to use it is in guacamole. So good!
    have a wonderful night!

    1. Cilantro in guacamole is so good!

    1. Thanks, I’ll tell Peter!

  3. I love dinner and the dark chocolate peanut butter too. You are so talented in the kitchen!!

    I really like eating cilantro in so many different things, especially Indian food. Who knew that such a little thing can make such a huge taste difference?

    PS – the new car is finally back and in working condition. For now! Let’s hope it stays that way. 🙂

    1. Thanks! 😀 I’m glad the car is working out – I’ll cross my fingers!

  4. That bean/veggie dish is so colourful! I love it!

    I think Peter’s next task should be to make you peanut butter pretzels. Now THAT would be delicious!

    I do like cilantro, raw, cooked, sprinkled, in large doses…bring it on. Especially Mexican-inspired dishes.

    1. Peanut butter pretzels – yes! I’ll get him right on it!

  5. Spice rack? You mean spice wall.

  6. Cilantro is one of the few spices that I can’t stand. I don’t know what it is but I just do not like the flavor. Which is not good because I really enjoy mexican food and cilantro is all over it!

    My husband always makes fun of me because he thinkgs Cilantro doesn’t have a taste. He will put pure Cilantro in his mouth and says it doesn’t taste like anything. Oh well, to each their own:)

    1. True! I find that either people love cilantro or hate it. It does have a pretty strong flavor!

  7. hahahah at least Saratoga’s in the top 10! The peanut butter looks so good. I love the smell of the factory while we make it.
    Your spice collection is awesome and I agree about grinding your own. EXCEPT cloves… they ruin spice grinders! (well, mine at least!)

    1. Oh man, can I come see Saratoga PB Co. make their wonderful peanut butter, pretty pleeeaaase? 😛

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