November is ‘National Peanut Butter Month‘. Peanut Butter as we probably all know is made from grinding Peanuts.  Now, technically Peanuts are not actually nuts.  The Peanut does not grow on a tree but rather from plants that are much like Vegetables. Peanuts are also known as ground nuts because of this reason.  But to repeat, Peanuts are not actually nuts;  they are  legumes. Unlike legumes, Peanuts are not usually cooked as a vegetable or even as a main dish.  Instead, they are treated much like the tree nuts – they are roasted and salted and eaten out of hand.  They are chopped up and added to baked goods.  But probably the most popular use for Peanuts is that rich spread we all know as ‘Peanut Butter’.

Peanut Butter has long been a favorite of kids and adults alike.  Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches not withstanding, how many different ways can you think to use Peanut Butter?

My favorites are Peanut Butter Cookies, Thai Peanut Sauce (made with Peanut Butter) and Reese’s Pieces.  There is Peanut Butter Fudge and Peanut Butter Brownies just to name a few.  So to observe ‘National Peanut Butter Month‘ I am going to share with you a couple of my favorite recipes.  If you have any favorite recipes using Peanut Butter please feel free to share them with my readers.

/One of my very favorite things is the Peanut Butter Sauce served with Chicken and Beef Satay in Thai Restaurants.  Technically, Satay is an Indonesian Dish but it has become a popular mainstay in Thai Cuisine.  And it is the sauce that really makes the dish!  Try this recipe – if you don’t like Chicken you can always substitute Beef or Pork or even Lamb!     chicken-satay-with-peanut-butter-sauce/

For lunch today I made a Salad with leftover Shrimp Taco Ingredients.  The salad consisted of shredded Lettuce, diced Tomatoes, Cilantro with a squeeze of Lime and Dressed with Spicy Thai Peanut Dressing.  Very delicious and taste bud pleasing.

Growing up, Peanut Butter Cookies were always a favorite in our household.  Probably the most intriguing thing about Peanut Butter Cookies is those ‘Criss-Cross’ marks made with a fork.  Why, I don’t know but if the cookie does not have them, there is definitely something missing!  It is those tell-tale marks that tell us that the cookie is a Peanut Butter Cookie.  I know of very few other cookies that use this decoration.  Instead of plain Peanut Butter Cookies, try this recipe that mimics that childhood favorite – the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich.  cookies/peanut-butter-jelly-cookies/

Everybody loves Rice Krispy Marshmallow treats and what better than Rice Kirspy Marshmallow treats with Peanut Butter added to them!  Try it for yourself or your kids and you will never make them without the Peanut Butter again!  /peanut-butter-rice-krispy-candies/

In Hong Kong there is a favorite street food known as Hong Kong Waffles.  They are soft waffle that can be rolled up.  Before they are rolled they are usually spread with Nutella or Peanut Butter.  They are quite delicious and not at all hard to make if you have a waffle iron.  deserts/hongkong-style-waffles/

Last but not least there is Chocolate/Peanut Butter Fudge.  This contains two favorites – Chocolate and of course Peanut Butter.  This is a really simple fool/proof fudge recipe that anyone can make in a very short amount of time.  So if you are a Chocolate and Peanut Butter Lover, be sure and try this recipe.  candy/peanutbutter-chocolate-fudge/

Then there are the items that we don’t need recipes for.  Celery stuffed with Peanut Butter, Crackers with Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter and Jelly or Honey Sandwiches, etc.

All in all, enjoy ‘National Peanut Butter Month’ and see which ways you come up with to enjoy this all time favorite.