Hi everyone. My hubby wants me to make him almond butter for his Celery instead of using dead peanut butter. I have a Norwalk Juicer that I can use, but I don't know if I should soak the nuts first? Do I add anything else, or just the nuts?
I appreciate your help. This is the first "raw" request from hubby, so I want to make it right away.
I've never made almond butter, but maybe this thread at Raw Food Support will help? I always buy mine at the raw store like the lazy good for nothing that I am.
It seems like you either need to use a juicer, or grind it in a coffee mill to a powder, and then take that powder and put it in a blender with a little bit of oil. I'm sure the amazing taste of fresh almond butter is worth every minute, and every messy appliance that needs to be cleaned, though ;)
I heard all you need is the nuts, and a very fast food-processor. I don't think you need to add extra oil. I've seen on a lot of cooking shows when they want chopped nuts, they put them in the processor and just grind them quickly. Then they tell you if you want to turn them in butter, keep grinding a little longer.
I have a Greenstar juicer, and use a combination of almonds and a softer nut (pecan, or walnut...), and get a powder, and then just stir in a small amount of water or juice to make a smooth, creamy butter. It's really great.
I make mine at the health food store. They have a container, to which is attached a grinder. Nothing is added. Just the nuts go in and the almond butter comes out. It has enough of it's own oil, which will float to the surface. I stir it up before I scoop it out to use. I am out of it right now and since reading your post I am starving for it ! *LOL*