Thank you Peanut Corp. of America – Now I make my own PB

Okay so I’d like to start of with the word Sarcasm. I hope that the Peanut Corporation of America has been giving thanks that they are not based in China. Just think what would they be going through… picking out their last meal. (2 Sentenced To Death In China Milk Scandal) Perhaps China has a better grasp on how to get corporations to be responsible, even if it is under the penalty of death.

PCA President Stewart Parnell, stated “Safety and Quality do make a difference. We have a remarkable Food-Safety record, developed in an environment committed to continuous training and state-of-the-art Food Safety techniques. From the corporate office to the plant floors, our comprehensive Quality Control program assists us in preventing error, reducing waste, meeting requirements, measuring results and satisfying our customers.” – Looked up PCA website on archive.org, the current website is a static page, so I wanted to learn more about them. Now I want to know if it was the load CR*P their public relations department was shoveling that contaminated the peanut butter. Was it?

So what does this really have to do with me making my own Peanut Butter? Simple we have a 16 month old that I’d love to see go to her drive for the first time (at a safe distance). I want to walk her down the aisle, be there to hold my first grandchild. Companies like PCA who were greedy and are morally reprehensible threaten those dreams, not just for me but for everyone.

So this past month we’ve been looking at alternatives and ways to help protect our little one. I admit that I have fallen in to the Corporate “Feed Trough” and have wallowed in it. I’ve eaten way to much processed, redesigned and man made food.

Now I have no excuse for eating like this. I have a goal and dream, and need to take steps to see it through. I need to eat better not only for my health, but for the health of my little one.

I think it is fair to say I speak for 99.999% of people when I say, “You hurt my child and that will be the last thing you will be doing.”

My little one MUST have PB every day, if not every meal. She thinks it is one of the best things in the world, Mamma milk first, PB & Daddy tied.

I decided to make my own PB and am looking at other things in our house that we can make. It is time to stick it to the Big Bad Food Corporations!

Here is how I did it:

I started by Twittering about it, got several ideas, from the Twitter world. Then I Googled it so I could read what others had done, and what they thought. After a while I had the courage to give it a try, had read what others had used and set out to do the same.
Prep time: about 25 minutes – I used a meat grinder so it took a bit more time.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups roasted peanuts

• 1 1/2 teaspoons peanut or vegetable oil – don’t try olive oil or other oil with it own flavor.
• Smidgen of salt – Optional – Use the Salt to enhance the PB to your taste

Utensils:

• food processor or grinder
• measuring cups and spoons
• mixing bowl
• mixing spoon
• storage container
• a spatula
• paper towels or cloth towels (The oil may stain)

Directions:

For smooth peanut butter:

1. Mix the peanuts with the peanut oil and salt if desired.
2. Pour the mixture into the food processor.
3. Process the mixture until it’s very smooth. If your mixture seems too thick, add a bit more oil, SLOWLY. A meat grinder will have a hard time making smooth peanut butter, so it is best to use a food processor. This will take some time, don’t try to rush it. You could damage your equipment.
4. Store your smooth peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

For chunky peanut butter:

1. Take about 1/3 cup out of your 2 cups of peanuts and set them aside.
2. Mix the rest of the peanuts with the oil and salt if desired.
3. Pour the mixture into the food processor.
4. Process the mixture until it’s about the right texture, then stir in the peanuts that you had set aside. If your mixture seems too thick, add a bit more oil, SLOWLY. A meat grinder will make chunky PB with ease.
5. Process a few seconds more to create your style of chunky peanut butter.
6. Store your chunky peanut butter in a sealed container in the fridge. It will be good for 2 weeks.

Our little one Loves it and and so do I. I’m not worried, scared that what she might be eating, and whatever is in it could harm her.

Next on the list: Bread, fruit strips, jelly, crackers (G.Ma does them already) and Ice Cream.

My next food target are those stupid High fructose corn syrup commercial. Give me a break. They want us to believe that HFC is as safe as sugar when used in moderation that it taste like sugar and is natural. The producers have refined it to make it easier to use and readily available. They are right it is natural but highly refined.

Can you imagine the Cocaine Growers and Refiners of America running a commercial saying:

Wife: Honey what are you doing, don’t you love me?

Husband: Don’t worry the Coca plant is natural, they even have organic versions now. It taste great and I love how I feel after taking it and like anything else moderation is the key.

Wife: Well honey how about a line for me?

All they are saying is that cocaine is a natural, though highly refined, and is safe in moderation.

Are you buying this?

Oh if you want to reach Stewart Parnell, President of PCA, the 2004 website listed his email as stewparnell@peanutcorp.com