Almond Butter

Here's what Jackie Warner had me eating each day for 10 days. (Not included are water and options for bars and powders.) Breakfast 1 cup of coffee with 1 packet Truvia or stevia and a dash of almond milk, or 1 cup of green tea 1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 walnut 1/2 grapefruit Snack 1 medium apple with 8 almonds Lunch 2 slices whole grain bread 1/4 medium sliced avocado 1 tablespoon mustard ...

The Institute of Domestic Technology presents the cooking series Tuesdays @ Greystone -- monthly workshops taught in the vintage kitchen of the historic Beverly Hills mansion -- and its 2013 class roster kicks off with "Peanut Butter & Jelly: Updated!" on Jan. 8.  Instructor Kevin West of Saving the Season is updating the childhood classic combo of PB&J and will teach students how to make his recipe for Time to Kill blood orange marmalade and homemade almond butter. Class will wrap up with an almond butter and marmalade sandwich on freshly baked bread.

(Editor's note: Writer Mary MacVean tried out trainer Jackie Warner's diet and exercise plan from her new book “10 Pounds in 10 Days.” Here's her experience. Read about her previous days: Day 1 , Day 2 .) Day 3 Even though I didn't get to breakfast until a little late, my stomach was shrieking in outraged emptiness by the time lunch rolled around. And when I finished the allotted sandwich, I was immediately thinking, “Is that all?” I do have my afternoon snack - 1 tablespoon of almond butter and eight celery sticks (4 inches each)

Nut butters -- peanut, almond, cashew, etc. -- are terribly simple to make. Grind nuts until they release their oils and are reduced to a smooth paste. And voila! You've got nut butter. All you need are nuts and a little flavoring or seasoning. You can add some sugar if you want to sweeten, or perhaps a touch of honey or maple syrup, but that's it. Don't worry about adding oil -- nuts naturally have a high oil content, and will release enough oil for the butter themselves with enough time and patience.

The Institute of Domestic Technology presents the cooking series Tuesdays @ Greystone -- monthly workshops taught in the vintage kitchen of the historic Beverly Hills mansion -- and its 2013 class roster kicks off with "Peanut Butter & Jelly: Updated!" on Jan. 8.  Instructor Kevin West of Saving the Season is updating the childhood classic combo of PB&J and will teach students how to make his recipe for Time to Kill blood orange marmalade and homemade almond butter. Class will wrap up with an almond butter and marmalade sandwich on freshly baked bread.

The peanut butter recall that started this past weekend with a salmonella-linked product sold at Trader Joe's has now been expanded to dozens of peanut, cashew and almond butters, according to producer Sunland Inc. The New Mexico-based company manufactured and packaged the Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter that regulators have since connected to 29 salmonella illnesses in 18 states, including California. Sunland this week said its voluntary recall now also includes 76 varieties of almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini and roasted blanched peanut products.

Nut butters -- peanut, almond, cashew, etc. -- are terribly simple to make. Grind nuts until they release their oils and are reduced to a smooth paste. And voila! You've got nut butter. All you need are nuts and a little flavoring or seasoning. You can add some sugar if you want to sweeten, or perhaps a touch of honey or maple syrup, but that's it. Don't worry about adding oil -- nuts naturally have a high oil content, and will release enough oil for the butter themselves with enough time and patience.

Question: I have a lot of blanched almonds that I purchased at a good price recently. Please tell me how to make almond butter. Can I use it like peanut butter? Answer: Yes, almond butter can be used like peanut butter. Popular in cookies and as a sandwich spread, it is also adaptable for baked goods, candy, ice cream, granola bars and yogurt. The commercial almond butters come in smooth and crunchy forms with new flavor variations of honey-cinnamon, chocolate, vanilla and toasted coconut.

Trader Joe's is facing yet another recall, this time affecting nearly 5,000 pounds of its store brand Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice, which may be contaminated with listeria bacteria. The producer of the product, Canadian company Aliya's Foods Limited, issued a voluntary recall of 4,865 pounds of the frozen food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Though 19 cartons of the 12.5-ounce boxes were placed on hold at the distribution center, 240 cartons were shipped from Canada to various Trader Joe's stores in the U.S., according to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The summer of superhero movies is upon us, which means millions will be looking up at the big screen thinking, "Man, those abs are awesome. " So what does it take to get pecs like Thor's, shoulders like the Green Lantern's and a six-pack like Captain America's? Things most mortals can only dream about: a top personal trainer to help you work out every day, tailored meals and Sisyphean determination. Trainer Mike Knight, who owns the Art of Strength gym in West Bloomfield, Mich., was one of the trainers who worked with "Thor" star Chris Hemsworth for six months to get his body into chest-baring shape.

The peanut butter recall that started this past weekend with a salmonella-linked product sold at Trader Joe's has now been expanded to dozens of peanut, cashew and almond butters, according to producer Sunland Inc. The New Mexico-based company manufactured and packaged the Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter that regulators have since connected to 29 salmonella illnesses in 18 states, including California. Sunland this week said its voluntary recall now also includes 76 varieties of almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, tahini and roasted blanched peanut products.

Here's what Jackie Warner had me eating each day for 10 days. (Not included are water and options for bars and powders.) Breakfast 1 cup of coffee with 1 packet Truvia or stevia and a dash of almond milk, or 1 cup of green tea 1/4 cup oatmeal with 1 walnut 1/2 grapefruit Snack 1 medium apple with 8 almonds Lunch 2 slices whole grain bread 1/4 medium sliced avocado 1 tablespoon mustard ...

(Editor's note: Writer Mary MacVean tried out trainer Jackie Warner 's diet plan from her new book “10 Pounds in 10 Days.” Here's her experience. Read the previous days , too.) Day 6 I've been really surprised by the fact that I've not been hungry much. I will admit my measuring has been a little heavy-handed - but we're talking about over-measuring broccoli, for goodness' sake. Anyway, I dutifully ate my lunchtime sandwich today. And when I finished it … I was really hungry.

Question: I have a lot of blanched almonds that I purchased at a good price recently. Please tell me how to make almond butter. Can I use it like peanut butter? Answer: Yes, almond butter can be used like peanut butter. Popular in cookies and as a sandwich spread, it is also adaptable for baked goods, candy, ice cream, granola bars and yogurt. The commercial almond butters come in smooth and crunchy forms with new flavor variations of honey-cinnamon, chocolate, vanilla and toasted coconut.