31 Days of Nutella

One of my fellow bloggers recently presented a challenge of blogging on the same topic for 31 days in a row. I immediately loved the idea, and began jotting down possibilities to write on. I decided that a favorite food would be the best route, since I have been blogging for almost a year, and have yet to blog even daily for 2 weeks much less 31 days. But I am up for the challenge! So for the next month, I will be sharing and blogging about 31 ways to eat one of my favorite foods: NUTELLA. I know this photo is a bit blurry, but I am using it anyway. My glasses are in the shop, so forgive me.

Nutella has been around for more than 25 years in the states, but I hadn't seen it in Wisconsin until just a few years ago. It has been around in Italy since the 1940's when the company's founder began looking for a way to make chocolatey treats during WWII, at a time when cocoa was in short supply due to food rations. Pietro Ferrero began using hazelnuts to extend his chocolate supply by adding hazelnuts that grew plentifully in the northwestern region of Italy where he lived, and thus Nutella was born. Originally sold in a cake-like form and wrapped in tin-foil, Nutella could be sliced and put on children's sandwiches for a special treat. However, Ferrero soon realized many kids were throwing their bread away and just eating the chocolate, so he switched from the solid format to the creamy paste that we all know and love today.

The great thing about this product is it's simplicity. Nutella contains hazelnuts, cocoa, and skim milk. It is wheat free, gluten free, and peanut free. It is a kosher food, and each jar contains more than 50 hazelnuts. It is high in protein and is traditionally served on whole wheat toast for breakfast.

But that's not all it's good for................oh, no! I have lots of fabulous ways to eat Nutella! Ready? Here we go:

My #1 way to eat Nutella, is.........(drum roll please).........................

Fresh from the jar with a spoon! I know this is crazy, not to mention a little bit rude. I have given each of our kids a jar of Nutella as a gift, and believe it or not, this was how they ate it. STRAIGHT FROM THE JAR. I realize they are teenage boys and this behavior may not be all that unusual. I actually sneaked a spoonful or two myself on occasion when they weren't  looking. I love it chased by strong black coffee for a morning kick. Who needs bread anyway?

Right now you can register to win a CASE of Nutella! Like them on Facebook at the following link to register!

http://www.facebook.com/nutellausa

Buy a big supply of Nutella for the next few weeks, I got two jars at Costco for $8.99. Tune in tomorrow for more receipes!

Designer Mom