While peanut butter and hazelnut butter are breakfast staples, particularly in North America and Europe, their uses in world cuisines extend far beyond simple sandwiches. Their flavor, texture, and nutritional value make them sought-after ingredients in a wide variety of recipes, from sweet to savory.
Uses of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter holds an iconic place, especially in American cuisine, but it's also a significant component of traditional dishes in Asian and African cuisines.
- Breakfast and Snacks:
- Sandwiches: The most classic use, especially the peanut butter and jelly (PB&J) sandwich in the US and Canada. It's spread on bread, toast, or crackers.
- Oatmeal/Granola: Mixed into oatmeal, smoothie bowls, or granola for added protein and flavor.
- With Fruits: Paired with fruits like banana slices, apple slices, or celery sticks for a healthy snack.
- Desserts and Baked Goods:
- Cookies: Peanut butter cookies, peanut butter brownies, and peanut butter cheesecakes are popular worldwide.
- Confections and Chocolates: Peanut butter-filled chocolates like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or homemade peanut butter candies are common.
- Ice Cream and Milkshakes: Used to add a creamy texture and nutty flavor to ice cream and milkshakes.
- Protein Bars: Acts as a binding and nutritious component in homemade energy bars and protein balls.
- Savory Dishes and Sauces: This area best showcases the diversity of peanut butter's use outside Western cuisine.
- Satay Sauce (Southeast Asia): An essential in Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian cuisines, satay sauce is made with peanut butter (or ground peanuts), coconut milk, curry, fish sauce, lime juice, and spices. It's served with grilled meats (chicken, beef) and vegetables.
- West African Stews (Maafe/Groundnut Stew): In countries like Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria, peanut butter is the main thickener and flavor enhancer for rich, savory, and hearty stews made with chicken, fish, or vegetables.
- Asian Noodle Dishes: In dishes like Thai peanut noodles, peanut butter provides a creamy sauce base.
- Burger and Sandwich Spreads: Especially in the US, some adventurous burger recipes incorporate a peanut butter sauce or even direct peanut butter.
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- Kare-Kare (Philippines): A traditional Filipino dish of oxtail and vegetables in a thick peanut sauce.
- Uses of Hazelnut Butter / Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
- Breakfast and Dessert Toppings:
- Bread and Pastries: Consumed for breakfast spread on bread, toast, croissants (cornetti), or crepes. This is particularly common in Europe.
- With Fruits: A great pairing with fruits like bananas or strawberries.
- Ice Cream and Dessert Topping: Used as a sauce over ice cream, waffles, pancakes, or cakes.
- Desserts and Baked Goods:
- Confectionery and Pastry: Hazelnut butter, especially chocolate hazelnut spread, is a key ingredient in Italian gianduja, pralines, truffles, and various chocolate products. It's frequently used in European patisserie.
- Cookies and Cakes: Used as a delicious ingredient or filling for hazelnut butter cookies, muffins, cakes, and brownies.
- Cheesecakes and Mousses: Chosen to add a rich hazelnut flavor and creamy texture to desserts.
- Beverages:
- Smoothies and Milkshakes: Used to add body and flavor to beverages.
- Coffee Drinks: Especially in Italy and some other European countries, syrups or direct hazelnut spread can be used to add a hazelnut flavor to coffee-based drinks (lattes, macchiatos).
- Niche Savory Uses: Plain hazelnut butter can be used in some specialized sauces and marinades, particularly to add a nutty depth to salads. However, this is less common than the savory applications of peanut butter.
- Peanut butter tends to find broader use in savory dishes, sauces, and Asian/African cuisines, while also maintaining a strong presence in sweet applications.
- Hazelnut butter, especially when combined with chocolate, is more dominant in European-centric desserts, breakfast spreads, and baked goods. Plain hazelnut butter has gained popularity in more recipes with the rise of healthy eating trends.