The Food Warehouse

Boiled Peanuts

3 Easy and Delicious Recipes Starring Peanut Butter

As soon as my children, and most every child I've known, was old enough to lick peanut butter from a cracker, the creamy goodness was one of their favorite things to eat. Peanut butter has one of those flavors we never seem to outgrow the desire for, I know I haven't. There's so many ways to enjoy peanut butter; from the humble PB&J to the ever-so-yummy Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups up to the fanciest of desserts, peanut butter is the perfect complement and blend with many different flavors.

Here are a few easy and delicious recipes starring the ever-popular peanut butter:

Peanut Butter Pie

1 - 12 oz jar crunchy peanut butter

1 - 8 oz container frozen whipped topping (Kool Whip), thawed

1 qt vanilla ice cream, softened

2 - 9 inch ready- made/prepared chocolate crumb crusts

Combine peanut butter, whipped topping, and ice cream; stir until blended. Spoon into crumb crusts. Freeze at least 8 hours. Garnish tops of pies with more whipped topping. Shave or dust a little chocolate on top if desired. Makes 2 pies and several very happy people.

Quick Peanut Butter Cookies

1 - 11 oz package pie crust mix

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tbsp water

Combine all ingredients; stir until blended. Shape dough into 1 inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten cookies to 1/4 thick with a fork, making the traditional criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cook 2 minutes on cookie sheets. Remove to wire rack, and continue cooling. Makes about 4 dozen.

Chocolate Topped Oatmeal Bars

1 container coconut pecan frosting

3 cups regular oats, uncooked

1 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup sugar

1 - 6 oz package semi sweet chocolate morsels

3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

Combine frosting, oats, butter, and sugar; stir until blended. Press into an ungreased 13x9x2 inch baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for 18 - 20 minutes. Combine chocolate morsels and peanut butter in top of double boiler; bring water to boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until chocolate melts. Spread over oat layer. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Cut into bars. Makes about 4 dozen.

Cookie tip: Let cookies cool completely before storing. To keep cookies fresh, store soft and chewy ones in an airtight container, and crisp cookies in a jar with a loose-fitting lid.

About the Author

Find coffee trivia and delicious recipes for coffee lovers at 'Hot Coffee to Go' http://hotcoffeetogo.homestead.com . Quick and easy muffin and bread recipes are at 'Muffin and Bread Recipes' http://muffinandbreadrecipes.com

Can you have rapid weight gain from boiled peanuts? I've been eating them at night and have gained wt./bloated?

I've been eating them for a few days now, every night with my husband. They're soaked in sea salt and regular table salt. I've noticed my clothes fitting more snug and I feel bloated. Could it just be water retention from the salt and water? Have you ever heard of someone gaining rapid weight from eating boiled peanuts? Maybe me eating at night contributes also....

As you mentioned, boiled peanuts are very salty. My guess is you are retaining water from the increase in sodium you've had from the peanuts. If you've gained weight quickly, it probably just is water weight. Perhaps try drinking a lot of water to flush out the sodium from your body. Also eating at night tends to add weight just because after you eat, the food just sits in your stomach as you sleep. Your metabolism slows at night so whatever you eat within a few hours of sleep, doesn't get burned off as energy. Again, I'd suggest drinking lots of water to flush out the salt and maybe cut back on the snacking close to bedtime.