My Prized Possession

Peanut butter is a prized possession. It is sold in small jars for almost $5 a jar. I have only bought it here once. Before opening the jar, I learned that it was in a batch of recalled products in states. The supermarket here couldn’t understand that I wanted to return it because of a US product recall. So, it is still sitting in my closet. Unopened.

I have learned how to toast, peel and puree peanuts in order to cook with them and produce that peanut butter taste in my foods. It is the truly natural brand of peanut butter – homemade!

About 6 months ago, a friend was coming to visit and I sent her an emergency message: “Need Peanut Butter Now!” I had gotten desperate and my friend came through for me. She brought down 8 pounds of Skippy Extra Crunchy peanut butter. I use it sparingly…spicy soups, fun desserts, and other delicious meals.

Papa con Mani / Peruvian Peanut Potatoes
Adapted from Nuestros Grandes Chefs – Teresa Izquierdo
Serves 4

1 pound of potatoes
1 small onion, finely diced
1 teaspoon of pureed garlic or 2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup of aji amarillo paste
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/4 cup for evaporated milk
2 hard boiled eggs, halved

1. Boil whole potatoes in salted water. Drain and cool potatoes. Peel and cube. (These can be prepared a day before.)

2. Sauté onions in a skillet coated with cooking spray until softened. Add garlic and aji amarillo paste, stirring frequently. Add water, a tablespoon at a time, as needed to keep sauce moist.

3. Add cubed of potatoes and stir until warmed and coated with sauce. Sprinkle salt over the mixture.

4. Stir together peanut butter and evaporated milk. Pour into the potato mixture, a third at a time, stirring constantly until all ingredients are combined.

5. Serve with hard boiled egg half.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Papa con Mani / Peruvian Peanut Potatoes is being served up for Cookthink’s Root Source Challenge: Peanut Butter. Visit Cookthink to see their pick for peanut butter and to participate in future challenges.