National Peanut Butter Lover's Day + PB & Choc Oatmeal Balls

Do you know what day it is today? Other than being the first day of fall in Australia, 1st March is also a day for peanut butter lovers to rejoice - it's National Peanut Butter Lover's Day. Happy Peanut Butter Lover's Day everyone! While this may be a holiday that is more commonly known in the US, it should also give peanut butter lovers elsewhere in the world a reason to celebrate. Kudos to the person who invented peanut butter!

As some of you may know, I am a big fan of nut butters, and peanut butter is one the many things that I adore. Today, I shamelessly professed my love for peanut butter by making these Peanut Butter & Choc Oatmeal Balls. This my favorite peanut butter treat; they are the perfect on-the-go snack, and I carry one of these balls around almost all the time.

Here are some fun facts about peanut butter that I find intriguing:

• Peanut butter was introduced in 1890s by a St Louis physician seeking an easily digestible, high protein food for some of his patients. (We ought to thank him!)
• Elvis Presley's favorite food is fried peanut butter and banana sandwich (I don't think I'd try this)
• The phobia of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth is called arachibutyrophobia.
• Peanut butter helps to remove chewing gum from clothing and hair. 
• In Netherlands, peanut butter us called pindakass (peanut cheese). The word 'butter' was protected by the Dutch government when peanut butter first entered the country, so the word 'cheese' used as a substitute. 
• Adults actually eat more peanut butter than kids even though peanut butter is considered a kids' food.
• While Americans prefer peanut butter, Europeans like nutella more. I'm not sure about Aussies. Do Aussies prefer vegemite, peanut butter or nutella?

Peanut Butter & Choc Oatmeal Balls 

Serves 6

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats (or GF oats)

1/4 cup dried cranberries (or any other dried fruits)

2/3 cup natural peanut butter 

2.5 tbsp brown rice syrup (or honey)

1 tsp vanilla extract

45g dark chocolate (or dairy free chocolate)

Directions

1. Combine rolled oats and dried cranberries in a medium sized bowl.
2. In another bowl, combine peanut butter, vanilla extract and brown rice syrup; microwave on high for 45 sec.
3. Pour the peanut butter mixture into the bowl of rolled oats and mix well, using either a spoon or your hands; roll the mixture into balls and place it on a sheet of parchment paper.
4. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl and place it in a hot water bath; stir occasionally until chocolate melts.
5. Coat the balls with melted butter, and leave it on the parchment paper to allow the chocolate coating to harden. Store in refrigerator, or eat it immediately. Enjoy!

I like chunky peanut butter:)

Are you a peanut butter lover? What is your favorite peanut butter treat?