Friday, May 6, 2011
Fig Peanut Butter Spread and a Fun Award!

Recently I was awarded this fun award from the oh so lovely, Heather, from Kiss My Broccoli...


So here’s how this works:
THE RULES:
1. Post this award with the picture and name whoever tagged you in it
2. Do the STUFF!
3. Award to 7 others and tell them you did so!
THE STUFF:
1. Name 3 things that are lying right next to you
2. Name 2 foods you cannot live without
3. Name 1 thing you did today

Here we go...

Next to me is this dude! Seventeen years as of last Sunday is the day we officially met! Best day of my life! We have enjoyed talking about our first week together all week. I love this guy...he would do anything for me and I appreciate everything he does and has ever done. Trust me, I've given him many tests...he always passes with flying colors! He's a keeper!


My notebook with a pencil for when my brain starts working on a recipe. I love pencils...it's weird, but I do prefer them over pens. 


My iPhone keeps my grocery lists and other things I remember when out and about. I never thought I would be so attached to it, but I am! Also, I have to keep it handy for a game of scrabble with Tony at night. He hates that I'm getting better, but he told me his strategy...it was bound to happen! I'm a total addict!


It's hard to pick foods I can't live without and narrowing it down to 2 is even harder since I love food...

First up, oats! I have to have them. I put them in almost everything. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack...anytime!

(oven roasted butternut squash)

(with flax and figs!)

(smore's...need I say more?)

Second, I was going to say beans trying to add in some protein, but no...I'd have to say apples! I won't even begin  to tell you how sad I'm going to be through the summer! At least there will be cantaloup to soothe me.


One thing I've done today...made figgy peanut butter! How else you do think I woke up all these boys today?! Nothing like the sound of peanuts in a food processor to get you up and going!


I saw Jessica do this the other day and well, I HAD to make it!  This is a little different though. I swear you can use it as a frosting. It's so creamy and thick from the almond milk added to it...hello deliciousness!


Fig Peanut Butter Spread
(makes 2 1/2 cups)

8 dried figs
1 cup almond milk
20 drops NuNaturals vanilla stevia
1/4 tsp salt

Heat the milk with the figs in the microwave for 1 minute (it softens the dried figs so they are easier to process and your machine will thank you for it later). Put everything in the food processor and process until smooth and creamy.

A note on the peanuts...


I am still working on the peanuts I got from my grandmother for Christmas (10lbs is a lot to go through even for a peanut lover)...


let's just say it was me against the peanut when it came to shelling these suckers and I won! It took forever, but it was so worth it. 


I may or may not have smeared some on an apple danish for my reward...you know and a little extra goodness on there!

 

Oh, and did you know that dried figs taste like the center of a Fig Newton?


These suckers are so good, but maybe not so good for your teeth! They are hard, but so good! Microwaving a little definitely helps soften them up a bit.


I want to tag too many people here, so I figured I would ask everyone to tell me three things that are laying next to you or two foods you can not live without. I'm guessing most people went to work today, but if you didn't what did you do?

Labels: , ,

posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 7:00 AM  
26 Comments:
  • At May 6, 2011 at 7:31 AM, Anonymous Jessica @ How Sweet said…

    Oh my gosh... I LOVE figs!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 7:33 AM, Anonymous Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun said…

    Ohhh....Fig Peanut Butter? Yes!

    Three things laying next to me - the little man, my water bottle, phone bec I just talked to my mom. :)

    Have a GREAT weekend!!! And we need to get together again soon. :)

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 7:36 AM, Blogger Unknown said…

    fig newtons are a MUST in our house. Well the gf version so this dish LOOKS AMAZING! I want to grab a spoon and come over!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 7:51 AM, Anonymous Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli said…

    Oh wow, that figgy peanut butter looks so smooth and creamy! Yum! I love dried figs!

    3 things laying next to me: my mexican breakfast pizza I just whipped up, a cup of coffee, and my camera cord!

    Hope you have a great day Sarena!

    And PS, I love what you wrote about your hubby! You two are so good together!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 8:11 AM, Blogger Heather Iacobacci-Miller said…

    Congrats on the fun award. And that fig PB - yum! I'm at work and the things next to me right now are a tissue, bag of halls, and stack of folders with projects. Good times ;-)

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 8:31 AM, Anonymous Amy B @ Second City Randomness said…

    Three things next to me...
    1. A coffee mug (need a refill)
    2. a fake orchid randomly on my table (it's been there forever)
    3. sweatpants that were thrown over a chair (oops)

    Happy weekend!!!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 8:53 AM, Blogger LizNoVeggieGirl said…

    Fig peanut butter = AMAZING!! And congratulations on the fun award :)

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 9:06 AM, Anonymous Holly @ The Runny Egg said…

    3 things next to me: a big mug of peppermint tea, my wedding ring (I take it off at work), and a big bottle of water. Boring I know!

    I love figs -- but yes they are so chewy!

    Have a nice weekend Sarena!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 9:39 AM, Blogger Lauren said…

    I can't live without oats and bananas!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 9:40 AM, Anonymous MelissaNibbles said…

    I love figs. I need to try them in my oats!

    Have a great weekend :)

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 10:44 AM, Blogger Heather said…

    What a great idea for peanut butter. I always make our own now and the boys LOVE the honey roasted pb!
    Three things (I'm at work - don't tell!): my iphone, measuring spoon from my peanut butter this morning, and water bottle.
    Happy Friday!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 12:19 PM, Blogger Emily said…

    I love your list, Sarena! Right now I'm at work but next to me is: my water bottle, a picture of my family, and my cell phone. Two of my favorite foods would have to be bananas and nut butter (preferably together). :)

    Awesome peanut butter recipe. I love figs, too. Yum.

    Happy Weekend!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 12:52 PM, Anonymous Carlee said…

    Figgy Peanut Butter? Wow! That sounds sweet and sinful. I am at work right now so the things lying next to me are my laptop, my coffee mug and my Blackberry.

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 2:16 PM, Anonymous Pure2raw Twins said…

    Love love love fresh figs!! So excited for their season coming up here soon. 2 foods that I could not live with out hemp seeds and any dark leafy green. I know so exciting haha

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 5:41 PM, Blogger Nicole said…

    I REALLY wish that we lived close to each other so we could share food.

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM, Anonymous Kayla (Little Miss Healthify) said…

    Figgy PB! I bought some dried figs a while ago, and kind of forgot about them!! I MUST do this! Except, I'll just blend the figs with the peanut butter I already have, much easier!

    I can't believe you deshelled all those peanuts! Your fingers must hurt!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 6:12 PM, Blogger MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College said…

    Holy moly....fig peanut butter!!! That sounds wonderful. Happy 17 years together (at least of knowing each other), you guys are a super cute couple!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 6:48 PM, Anonymous Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table said…

    Ohhhh... WANT that nut butter. Figs! Who would have thought?! I bet that is amazing on a breakfast scone.

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM, Anonymous Jess@HealthyExposures said…

    Happy belated first-meeting anniversary!! You two are so perfect together; I love it!
    The PB looks awesome, too!! hah, I remember getting super hard figs once...yes, i nearly broke my tooth! don't know what was up with them. luckily i haven't gotten a batch like that since, though - but if I do I'll know to microwave them :)

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 8:45 PM, Anonymous Kristina @ spabettie said…

    I love figs, fresh and dried! this peanut butter sounds amazing. I want to join Lindsay with my spoon! :)

    next to me right now - Basil Pup :) my moleskine notebook and pen, I love the act of physically writing things down. hmm... *looks around* oh! my new issue of Portland Monthly magazine - this one is all about FARMERS MARKETS - we have so many awesome ones here!

    I have to have spinach in my life, and lately quinoa! :)

    have a great weekend, friend!!

     
  • At May 6, 2011 at 9:00 PM, Anonymous J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) said…

    Figgy peanut butter sounds AMAZING!! That's a brilliant combination, Sarena!

     
  • At May 8, 2011 at 4:36 PM, Anonymous Christin@purplebirdblog said…

    Ooooo, girl... figgy peanut butter sounds crazygood! You and I may have to set up a PB swap some time... ;)

     
  • At May 8, 2011 at 9:23 PM, Blogger Lisa said…

    This looks amazing--I just bookmarked it. I love figs---I often put them on sunbutter sandwiches, and I made a smoothie with them that tasted like pb&j too.

    Yum! Thanks for this awesome idea and recipe!

     
  • At May 8, 2011 at 9:24 PM, Blogger Christina said…

    love your phone cover!

     
  • At May 9, 2011 at 8:05 AM, Anonymous Madeline - Greens and Jeans said…

    I love love love figs! And peanut butter. I'm pretty sure that jar wouldn't stand a fighting chance around me

     
  • At May 9, 2011 at 9:10 PM, Blogger Farty Girl said…

    The figgy PB is awesome. Do you have to peel the figs? I want to get more into eating them, but I don't exactly know how. :-)

    Next to me right now is a Redbridge. I just got back from shopping. It was rough.

     
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Name:
Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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