Hazelnut Paste

Do you like Nutella? If so you might be interested in this stuff. I have made some hazelnut paste, not to be confused with hazelnut praline paste. I never caramelized the sugars, hence this is not a praline. I have made the caramelized version before. I like this version better, plus it's easier to make.

Ingredients:

hazelnuts
powdered sugar
hazelnut oil

Toast hazelnuts in a 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes. Don't over toast. Once out of the oven, cover with a towel for about 20 minutes. This step makes removing the skins easier. To remove the skins rub vigorously with the towel. If some skin won't come off, don't worry, it doesn't matter much. Next, weigh the nut's. Place in a food processor and turn on. Once you have hazelnut butter, add in an equal amount (by weight) of powdered sugar. Continue to process for about 3 minutes. If the mixture looks dry, add a tsp or two of oil until the paste looks like hazelnut butter again. That's it, you now have hazelnut paste. Next mission: don't eat it all at once. May not be as easy as it sounds.