Peanut butter is a creamy spread made from ground roasted peanuts. It is loved for its rich, nutty flavor and smooth or crunchy texture. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, from spreading on toast to being used in smoothies, cookies, and sauces. Peanut butter is also high in protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins. Here are some sweet and savory peanut butter creations :
1. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Start by blending a whole ripe banana and a scoop of peanut butter together. Once it is creamy, add a cup of almond milk to it and blend again until it all becomes smooth. Transfer into a glass which has ice cubes at the bottom. You could also add honey for extra sweetness. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon powder on top.
2. Peanut Butter Cookies
In a bowl, whisk softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy. Next, add peanut butter, an egg, and a little bit of vanilla extract to it. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients to make the dough. Roll into small balls and place them with equal spacing on the baking sheet. Flatten each cookie and form a crisscross pattern on top with a fork. Bake till the edges turn golden.
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Use a double boiler to melt chocolate chips. Line a muffin tin with paper liners and pour a small amount of the melted chocolate into each. Swirl it around thereby coating the bottom and refrigerate. Once it hardens, spread a spoonful of peanut butter on top of each cup. Refrigerate again. Finally, pour more melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer. Refrigerate one last time until fully set.
4. Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats
In a bowl, mix together rolled oats, milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder and honey. Once everything is well combined, cover the mixture and refrigerate overnight. Give it a good stir before serving. Garnish with sliced fruits, chocolate chips, nuts, and some more peanut butter.
5. Peanut Butter Brownies
Melt butter and chocolate using a double boiler until smooth. Take it off the heat and stir in sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. In another bowl, mix together flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and whisk well. Pour half of the prepared brownie batter into a greased baking dish. Place spoonfuls of peanut butter on top of the brownie batter and swirl it using a knife. Pour the remaining brownie batter on top. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool and cut into squares.
6. Peanut Butter and Strawberry Chia Pudding
Soak chia seeds in water overnight. In a jar, add the chia seeds, milk, and a huge spoonful of peanut butter. You could also add honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness. Refrigerate this for at least a couple of hours or overnight. Keep stirring in between to prevent clumping. Garnish the pudding with fresh strawberries and crushed granola.
7. Peanut Butter Pie
For making the crust, use crushed graham crackers to line the bottom of a greased baking dish. Bake the crust partially for it to set. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla extract together. Fold whipped cream into it for achieving an airy texture. Spread this combined mixture onto the crust and smoothen the top. Refrigerate the pie for a few hours.
8. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Begin by toasting two slices of bread of your choice. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter on one slice of bread. On another slice, spread your favorite jelly or jam, preferably grape or strawberry. Press both the two slices together in such a way that the peanut butter side faces the jelly side. Cut the sandwich into halves and serve.
9. Peanut Butter Cupcakes
In a bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together so that it is fluffy. Add eggs gradually and mix well after each addition. In a separate bowl, add flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Alternate with milk and peanut butter till the desired consistency is attained. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake. Refrigerate before frosting with peanut butter or chocolate frosting.
10. Peanut Butter Mug Cake
In a mug, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, peanut butter, milk, and a little bit of vanilla extract. Beat everything together until smooth and top it generously with chocolate chips. Microwave the mug for around two minutes so that the cake rises. Let it cool to room temperature before serving.
11. Peanut Butter Noodles
Cook your choice of noodles separately and drain the water. Make the sauce by mixing together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and lime juice. Toss the cooked noodles in the peanut butter sauce until it is coated entirely. Garnish with chopped green onions, crushed peanuts, and vegetables such as bell peppers and carrots.
12. Peanut Butter and Avocado Toast
Toast a slice of your preferred bread until golden brown. Cut a ripe avocado into thin slices. You could also mash the avocado. Sprinkle a pinch of salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice onto it. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter on top of the bread and follow it by the mashed avocado. Garnish with black sesame seeds.
13. Peanut Butter Tofu Skewers
Squeeze the excess moisture out of the tofu and cut it into cubes. Make the marinade using peanut butter mixed along with soy sauce, sesame seeds, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Coat the tofu cubes in the marinade. Transfer it onto skewers and alternate with your choice of vegetables. Grill the skewers to develop a nice char.
14. Peanut Butter Veggie Burger
The patty is made by mashing cooked black beans and chopped vegetables such as potatoes, capsicum, onions, and carrots together. Then, mix in breadcrumbs, spices, and a spoonful of peanut butter. Shape this mixture into patties and fry until they’re crispy on the outside. Serve them on buns with your preferred toppings like lettuce, tomato, onions, mustard, and tomato sauce.
15. Peanut Butter Chicken
Coat chicken pieces in a marinade made with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. In a pan, saute onions in oil until translucent and then add the chicken. After the chicken is cooked, stir in peanut butter along with coconut milk to make the broth. You can also add your choice of vegetables. Simmer everything together for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts, spring onions, and lemon wedges.
16. Peanut Butter Paneer Tikka
Marinate paneer cubes in a combination of yogurt, peanut butter, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, and spices for at least half an hour. Meanwhile, chop vegetables such as onions and bell peppers into similar-sized pieces. Alternate between the paneer and the vegetables on a skewer and grill it. Remove the contents from the skewer and serve with a side of green chutney.
17. Peanut Butter Curry
In a pan, saute together chopped onions, garlic, and ginger. Then, add your choice of diced vegetables and cook until it all softens. Finally, add the preferred spices, a large spoonful of peanut butter, and coconut milk. Stir everything and let the curry simmer. You can also include protein such as tofu or chicken. Serve the curry over rice or naan and garnish with coriander.
18. Peanut Butter Stuffed Bell Peppers
In a pan, cook quinoa alongside black beans, corn, onions and tomatoes. After everything is cooked, add peanut butter and your preferred choice of spices. Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove all the seeds inside. Fill each pepper with the cooked quinoa mixture. Place it on a baking dish and drizzle a bit of olive oil on top. Bake till it gets a nice char on top.
19. Peanut Butter Pad Thai
Cook rice noodles separately and keep aside after draining the water. In a wok, saute minced garlic, tofu, sliced vegetables in oil until everything is tender. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, lime juice, and peanut butter together. Toss the noodles along with the cooked vegetables. Finally, pour the peanut sauce to coat everything. Cook it all for another minute for the flavors to meld. Garnish with crushed peanuts, lime wedges, and fresh coriander.
20. Peanut Butter Quinoa Bowl
Cook quinoa separately and set it aside to cool. In a bowl, mix the cooked quinoa along with vegetables such as diced cucumbers, bell peppers, and shredded carrots. For more protein, you can also include chickpeas. In another bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and honey. Drizzle this over the quinoa and vegetables and toss everything together well. Garnish with chopped peanuts, fresh coriander, and sesame seeds.
