Hurricane Ike and some homemade peanut butter
My brother Jacob was married in Portland, Oregon last weekend. A joyous occasion, definitely, but there was a hint of anxiousness as Hurricane Ike barged into our hometown of Houston, Texas. We were relieved that Mom and Jacob’s best man had flown out to Portland before they closed the airports on Friday, but it didn’t mitigate the sadness we felt as we watched the destruction on TV.
I’ve only been in one hurricane in my life—Hurricane Alicia back in 1983. That was the last big one to hit Houston and much of the news coverage referenced the parallels in the two storms’ aftermaths. Beyond flooded streets, there were also piles of glass, stacks of tree limbs and wrecked buildings. But even if you’re spared all of that destruction, no one is spared the loss of electricity.
Besides riding my bike around the neighborhood during the eye of Alicia, having no power for a few days (in the hot, humid summer no less) is my biggest recollection of that storm, and that meant lots of card games and nap times. But what did we eat? I couldn’t remember, so I asked my dad. He said peanut butter.
I’ve been looking at Hurricane Ike relief sites, and indeed if they are soliciting food donations, peanut butter is at the top of their list. Peanut butter for me is one of those perfect foods: it’s a little sweet; it’s a little salty; it needs no adornment (though certain things such as bananas, chocolate chips, or jam are very welcome); it can be eaten any time of day; it can be a snack or a main dish; and it only takes a couple of tablespoons to fill you up and give you energy.
But what I also recently learned is that it is very easy to make your own peanut butter. You just throw a bunch of peanuts into your food processor with a bit of oil and in no time you have the freshest, healthiest peanut butter you’ve ever tasted. And if you want to doll it up with spices, cayenne powder or even chocolate, no problem.
My family and friends are OK and I pray yours are, too. My heart goes out to all of those who are suffering through the wake of Hurricane Ike and hopefully, their lives will soon return to normal. I wish I could be there to help with the clean up, but in the meantime I’ll show my solidarity by eating peanut butter.
Homemade peanut butter
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted, salted peanuts
- 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
Instructions
- Place the ingredients in your food processor, and blend until it turns creamy—about a minute or so. (First it will turn into powder but keep blending, it will get there soon!)
Notes
Chunky: If you want chunky peanut butter, set aside a quarter cup of peanuts, and stir them into the peanut butter after it’s blended in the processor.
Sweeter: Add 1/2 tablespoon of honey to ingredients. Spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to ingredients.
Chocolate: Add an extra 1 1/2 tablespoons of peanut oil, 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of honey or agave nectar and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. You’ll have to blend it a bit longer than regular peanut butter.
One thing I remember about Alicia was watching the news team on Channel 2 KPRC and you could hear things banging around outside the studio as the storm raged (insert dramatic video footage of showers of skyscraper glass). Then the newscasters just suddenly stopped talking and turned and looked at each other for a second. They continued on but Alicia’s eye had come and it was dead quiet and obviously eerie for them. Then after a while things started banging again and they went off the air. I was near Huntsville for that one. Ike will likely become this generation’s Carla when it comes to comparisons.
Lara–They tied him with a rope? Wow. I hope your husband’s family home is OK.
Tbsamsel–Yep, that’s the sensible way to deal with a loss of power–have a barbecue!
Plum Texan–I’m so glad all your friends and family are accounted for–that’s the most important thing.
Jancd–I can’t believe that it’s taking so long for people to get their power back–what a mess.
Olivia–I agree, after eating natural peanut butter for so long, the other stuff just tastes too sweet and too cloying.
Mr. Sound and Mrs. Sound–Thanks.
Bren–It’s hard living in the hurricane zone, isn’t it? I can’t even imagine how vulnerable you must feel living on an island. Glad your family is OK.
Paula–I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s relatives.
Deb–Thanks!
Karina–It’s good stuff. And thanks!
Alice Q. Foodie–C’mon, you can do it! I hate change, but you just take a deep breath and then hit publish. You can always go back to your old template if you don’t like it.
Kristen–You’re welcome!
Ann–You don’t love peanut butter? Even with chocolate?
Jigsaw Jones–I’m glad your family is OK.
Rooth–Wow–you only lost power for a couple of hours? That’s wonderful news! The city needs to figure out what went right in the Heights so they can apply that knowledge to the rest of the power grid.
Cynthia–Thank you.
Chicken-Fried Gourmet–Many thanks!
Ms. Judy–The eye is creepy. The silence is so strange after all that ruckus.
I just found your blog this evening! I love it. I am a Native Texan as well, but I still live here.
Nice post about peanut butter…It is a staple during a storm. Fortunately, I regained power almost immediatley and didn’t have to dive into my supplies!
Rest assured, peanut butter was one of them. I have never made my own, but now I think I will give it a try!
Try processing a couple bags of Thai peanuts from Trader Joes , I use the paste for accent in all kinds of dishes.
Peanut Butter ROCKS! Great Post!
Love your layout.