Grump Pup’s Peanut Butts (Peanut Butter)

An old recipe I’ve made off and on since 2010, and now that peanut butter is sold out everywhere during the pandemic I’ve been making this regularly. Amelia gave tasting notes and I kept modifying the recipe until we settled on this one: Not as sweet as Jiff and not so bland as natural, with a little cinnamon kick.

Grump Pup's Peanut Butts (Peanut Butter)

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 jars

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs peanuts roasted, unsalted
  • 3/4 tsp salt or more to taste
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon ground
  • 4 tbsp peanut oil less if you like your pb thick

Instructions
 

Blender

  • Put it all in a blender.  Blend it up, scraping the sides with a spatula to get it going. Don't give up, and let the motor rest if it gets hot. It will eventually blend like a thick smoothie once it gets fine & hot. I don't have a food processor, but I hear it's much faster.

Food processor

  • edit: Now that I have a food processor it's so easy! Just turn it on and let it go until it's your desired smoothness - I prefer a fast moving tornado (about 2 to 3 minutes). No need to pulse, no need to let it cool.

Buttermilk pie crust

I didn’t invent this recipe myself, but I’m including it here because it’s so good: it’s makes an all butter, fairly flaky, and yet still tender.

Buttermilk pie crust

All butter, flaky, tender crust.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 2 crusts

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbs granulated sugar
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter cut into tiny cubes and kept cold
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk a few more Tbs if dough is too try

Instructions
 

  • In a medium/large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
  • Add cold butter cubes and press into the flour with your fingers (or food processor or fork) until flour looks like it has little butter pebbles in it.
  • Make a well in the flour mixture. Pour in buttermilk. Stir with fork until dough starts to come together.
  • If your bowl is big enough, just keep working in the bowl, otherwise dump onto a floured table. Knead the dough just until the parts stick together and dough looks shaggy. Don't over work your dough or you'll just make it tough.
  • Divide into two equal parts. Shape into disks.
  • Wrap each disk in parchment paper, spare plastic, or similar. Refrigerate 1 hour or more.
  • Roll out as you would any pie crust.

Notes

hint: bake your pies in the bottom part of your oven to help cook the bottom crust underneath the pie, especially if you don't blind-bake it.

Chocolate chip cookies

This recipe is from the New York Times. It is perfect and simply cannot be improved. Yes, waiting 24 – 72 hours between making cookie dough and baking them seems absurd, but I promise you: these cookies are worth the wait.

 

Chocolate chip cookies

Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 1 day 1 hour 3 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 1/2 oz cake flour
  • 8 1/2 oz bread flour (you can substitute all purpose)
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp course salt
  • 1 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 10 oz light brown sugar
  • 8 oz granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 lbs 60% cacao chocolate chips/discs
  • sea salt (to sprinkle)

Instructions
 

  • Take the unsalted butter out of the fridge. Let it soften.
  • Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
  • Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. I usually fold them in with a spatula instead of the mixer.
  • Scoop dough into 3 1/2-ounce mounds (the size of generous golf balls) and set back into your bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic/beeswax wrap and refrigerate for 24 - 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
  • Now that you've waited at least 24 hours and are absolutely desperate to eat these damn cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. Transfer your cookie dough to the baking sheets, making sure to leave ~2 inches in between them so they can spread.
  • Sprinkle each cookie dough ball lightly with sea salt (if the salt doesn't stick, spring the cookies lightly with water and then add the salt flakes) and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 - 20 minutes.
  • Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies directly onto the rack to cool a bit more. Eat with abandon. Thank the gods for delivering this manna from heaven.

Notes

I usually bake the cookie dough in a few batches, so I have fresh cookies for a few days in a row. Just keep the bowl tightly covered with plastic/beeswax wrap so the dough doesn't dry out in the fridge. You can also freeze these cookies; they'll just need a bit more time in the oven.

Dutch baby

This is my go-to breakfast for Sunday mornings. It’s made up of six ingredients I always have on hand, and it’s a cinch to whip up. It’s originally from the NYT, but I made a couple alterations.

Dutch baby

This pancake emerges from the oven puffed and golden, then deflates into a craggy, tender pancake that's perfectly accompanied by a dusting of powdered sugar and a generous squeeze of lemon. Other topping suggestions: apricot jam or lemon curd.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Breakfast
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 eggs (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup milk (room temperature)
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Instructions
 

  • Pull eggs and milk out from fridge; bring 'em to room temperature.
  • When you're ready to cook, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Combine eggs, flour, sugar, and almond extract. You can mix the ingredients in a blender or by hand with a whisk. Either way, mix until smooth.
  • Add milk to batter. Mix again until fully incorporated.
  • Once your oven reaches 425 degrees, put the butter in a heavy 10-inch skillet or baking dish and place it in the oven. As soon as the butter has melted (~2 minutes) add the batter to the pan, return pan to the oven, and bake for 20 minutes, until the pancake is puffed and golden.
  • Pull the pancake out of the oven. Wonder at its puffed glory. Mourn as it deflates. Cheer again when you realize you get to eat it slathered in a dusting of powdered sugar and lemon juice.

Notes

  • The batter turns out smoother if you let the eggs and milk come to room temperature, but you can go straight from fridge-to-oven if you're short on time.
  • The original recipe uses nutmeg to flavor the batter; I vastly prefer a splash of almond extract here but any warming spice or extract will work.

No-Knead Sour Dough Bread

Very easy and good!

No-Knead Sour Dough Bread

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups sour dough starter Be sure to return 1 cup to starter container
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 TBS sugar
  • 2 TBS cooking oil
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/2 cups flour

Instructions
 

  • Let all ingredients come to room temperature. Mix milk, salt, sugar, and cooking oil together in mixing bowl. Beat the egg and add to mixture. Add the sour dough starter and mix well. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time, mix well. Cover and set in warm place to proof, at least two hours. It should double in bulk. Punch down and put into a well greased loaf pan. Cover and let rise until about an inch below bottom of pan, about 1 hour 45 minutes, or longer if colder. Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. It is done when it starts to shrink away from the sides of the pan. When done, remove from oven, brush top with melted butter. Set on rack to cool. Very fine, very fine.

Crockpot Lentil Soup

A great weeknight soup

I’ve been making this soup all winter to go along with no-knead bread. Found at Pinch of Yum

crockpot lentil soup

Crockpot Lentil Soup – a clean and simple soup made with onions, garlic, carrots, olive oil, squash, and LENTILS! Super healthy and easy to make.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 13 hours
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

FOR THE CROCKPOT:

  • 2 cups butternut squash peeled and cubed
  • 2 cups carrots peeled and sliced
  • 2 cups potatoes chopped
  • 2 cups celery chopped
  • 1 cup green lentils
  • 3/4 cup yellow split peas or just use more lentils
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 8-10 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons herbs de provence
  • 1 teaspoon salt more to taste

ADD AT THE END:

  • 2-3 cups kale (stems removed & chopped)
  • 1 cup parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup olive oil rosemary olive oil or other herb infused oil is delicious
  • 1 swish sherry, red wine vinegar, or lemon juice to add a nice tangy bite
  • 10 slices Parmesan cheese a few thin slices on top of each bowl

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
  • Place about 4 cups of soup in a blender with the olive oil. Pulse gently until semi-smooth and creamy-looking (the oil will form a creamy emulsion with the soup). Add back to the pot and stir to combine. Stir in the kale and parsley. Turn the heat off and just let everything chill out for a bit before serving. The taste gets better with time and so does the texture, IMO!
  • Season to taste (add the sherry, vinegar, and/or lemon juice at this point) and to really go next level, serve with crusty wheat bread and a little Parmesan cheese. It’s called Detox Balance.

Green bean casserole

A thanksgiving crock-pot classic. Laugh at the onion rings all you want, this dish will disappear.

Green bean casserole

Course Side Dish
Cuisine Comfort

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs fresh green beans washed and cut up (says if use frozen use 4 packages but doesn't say what size? If using frozen beans reduce cooking time to: cook high 4 to 5 hours or low 8 to 10 hours)
  • 1 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can French fried onion rings
  • 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
  • 1 can water chestnuts thinly sliced
  • Slivered almonds optional
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Spread in layers as listed above, making about three layers.
  • Save enough French-fried onion rings to crumble and sprinkle over top about 20 minutes before serving.
  • Add 1/2 cup water and cook on high for 7 to 10 ours, or low 12 to 18 hours.

Green Chile Stew

This recipe from Shannon won the great 2010 chili cook-off, a party and a dish that have become Logan Square legend.

See note for vegetarian version.

Green Chile Stew

Course Main Dish
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

stew:

  • 1 pound pork stew meat cut into bite-size pieces
  • all-purpose flour for flour mix
  • cumin for flour mix
  • garlic powder for flour mix
  • powdered green chili for flour mix (optional)
  • salt & pepper for flour mix
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic minced
  • 30 oz chicken broth or other broth 2 cans
  • 1 scant cup posole pieces or 1 can whole posole don't use dried whole posole or it will take too long
  • 3-4 cups chopped roasted hatch green chile
  • 4 tomatoes roughly chopped
  • dried oregano
  • extra cumin powder and garlic powder
  • honey

To serve:

  • limes
  • cilantro
  • avocado
  • queso fresco
  • tortillas

Instructions
 

  • toss pork in flour mixture to coat.
  • cook onion in a little olive oil till soft.
  • add pork and then garlic on top of pork. don't stir much so that pork can brown. when pork is browned add the chicken broth and stir to deglaze the pot.
  • add posole pieces. add some water to reach correct amount of liquid. bring to a boil, stir, then turn down to a simmer and cook covered for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
  • add chiles when convenient. when almost done, add tomatoes and oregano.
  • if there is too much liquid cook at high temp with lid off until broth is reduced. taste for cumin and garlic, adding more if desired. add honey until tomato flavor 'peaks.'
  • serve with sides, making sure to add lots of delicious fresh lime juice.

Notes

if you don't want meat,this is still good without the pork, just cook the flour/spices with the onion and use veggie broth instead of chicken. if you are one of those 'gluten free' people, instead of using flour on the pork to thicken the stew, just add a few finely chopped potatoes along with the posole.

Simple Salmon Glaze

This glaze is perfect when it’s 7pm, no meal plan and my fridge is out of fresh ingredients. I crack the freezer and grab a few frozen fillets, toss them in warm water and get started with prep. I then throw some frozen veggies and rice in my rice cooker and I have a healthy meal, quick as pizza delivery.

Simple Salmon

Not fancy, just simple. You probably have all the ingredients already.
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings 4 fillets

Ingredients
  

  • olive oil a few glugs
  • mustard (any kind) equal parts honey
  • honey equal parts mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • tiny bit balsamic vinegar about 1/3 of olive oil used
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

defrost salmon

  • If salmon is frozen, put it in some warm water to defrost it quickly. It's safe so long as it's small enough to defrost in less than 10 minutes.

glaze

  • Mix equal parts mustard & honey in a bowl. Add a few cloves of chopped garlic. Add a few glugs of olive oil. Add a bit of balsamic vinegar, about 1/3 of olive oil used. Season with salt & pepper, and mix.

bake salmon

  • Line baking pan in enough foil to wrap around fish. Lay salmon in the foil and cover in glaze. Wrap salmon and bake at 375 for ~20-25 minutes, you may need more or less time depending on thickness. It's done when it flakes with a fork.

Jackfruit Fajitas

 

Amelia & I tried Purple Carrot (affiliate link) for a week and this was our favorite recipe. I find ingredient delivery services to be too expensive and wasteful in regards to packaging, so we cancelled after the discount.

Spicy Jackfruit and Bell Pepper Fajitas with Lime Crema

These fajitas are anything but average. Fresh corn tortillas set the stage for chili-roasted peppers, onions, and jackfruit. If you’ve never had jackfruit before, you’re in for a treat! Related to the fig, it’s native to Southeast Asia and is composed of hundreds (or even thousands) of edible flowers. The texture will surprise you — cooked, it’s almost like pulled pork, and is absolutely delicious...especially with our tangy lime crema!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Vegan
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 onion
  • 1 orange bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 3 oz red cabbage
  • 15 oz can Jackfruit
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp vegan sour cream
  • Fresh cilantro
  • 1 lime
  • 6 corn tortillas
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • PREP THE PRODUCE Preheat your oven to 425 °F. Rinse and dry produce. Peel and slice the onion. Deseed and slice the red pepper. Mince garlic and set aside.
  • READY THE VEGETABLES Place the onion, red pepper, and jackfruit on a foil-lined baking sheet. Toss the with chili powder, 1 tsp oil, and a pinch each salt and pepper.
  • ROAST THE JACKFRUIT AND VEGETABLES Spread evenly, and place in the oven. Roast until golden brown and beginning to char, about 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven.
  • WARM THE TORTILLAS While the vegetables roast, wrap your tortillas in tin foil. When the vegetables are done roasting, you can put them in the turned off oven to gently warm until you’re ready to eat.
  • MAKE THE SAUCE Rinse and halve the lime. In a small bowl, combine juice from half of the lime, minced garlic, vegan sour cream and a pinch of salt and stir to combine. Rinse and dry the cilantro, then pick the leaves and tender stems.
  • ASSEMBLE FAJITA Remove the vegetables, jackfruit, and tortillas from the oven. On a large plate evenly divide the tortillas. Top them with the with roasted vegetables and jackfruit, the red cabbage, cilantro, and drizzle with your lime crema. Enjoy!