Best Toasted Almond Recipes

WILD RICE AND TOASTED ALMOND PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse rice in a large sieve under cold water, then drain. Heat oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until rice is tender (grains will split open), 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Drain well in sieve and transfer to a bowl.
• While rice is cooking, melt butter in a 10-inch skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook almonds, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add almonds, salt, and pepper to rice and stir gently to combine.

TOASTED ALMOND-COCONUT FINANCIERS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12-cup mini-muffin tin.
• On a rimmed baking sheet, spread out the coconut and almond flour, side by side. Toast until both are lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through and keeping a close watch at the end. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.
• Use your fingertips to grind the coconut with the almond flour to break it down into small pieces. Add the sugar, flour and salt, and whisk to combine.
• Whisk in the egg whites and almond extract, then the melted butter.
• Divide the batter evenly among the greased cups. (A small cookie scoop makes easy work of this task.) Tap the pan on the countertop to smooth the tops.
• Bake until the cakes spring back when pressed gently in the center, 18 to 20 minutes. Pop them out of the tin, using a small offset spatula or knife to loosen the edges if needed, and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
• Melt the chocolate and oil together in a small bowl in short, 10-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate and oil over a double boiler on the stove.)
• Dip half of each financier in the chocolate and set on a rack until set, at least 30 minutes.

CHICKEN, SHRIMP AND SAUSAGE STEW AND ENDIVE SALAD WITH TOASTED ALMOND VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Saute sausage in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until brown. Transfer to a large bowl. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to pot and cook until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to bowl with sausage. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon pan drippings. Add onions and bell pepper to pot and saute until tender and light golden brown. Add garlic, oregano, thyme and paprika and saute 2 minutes. Return sausage, chicken and any accumulated juices to pot. Add tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth and wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through. Uncover pot, add olives and simmer until chicken is very tender and liquid is reduced to thin sauce, about 30 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with French bread.
• Whisk shallots and vinegar in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Whisk in almonds. Re-season with salt and pepper. Toss endive in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat.

SUGAR TOASTED ALMOND SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Combine almonds and sugar in a small skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir until sugar is melted over almonds, about 3 minutes. Spread almonds in a single layer on waxed paper to cool.
• To make the salad dressing, whisk together the vinegar, salad oil, sugar, mustard, poppy seeds, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
• Toss together the romaine lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, onion, and oranges in a large bowl. Sprinkle almonds and drizzle dressing over top of salad just before serving.

SUGARED TOASTED ALMOND SALAD TOPPING

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Cook and stir almonds and sugar in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and almonds turn golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer almonds to the prepared baking sheet to cool completely.

TOASTED ALMOND

Steps:

• Add liqueurs to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a 10-ounce rocks glass over ice. Top with heavy cream and serve with a short straw.

TOASTED ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Spread out almonds on a rimmed baking sheet or in a 9x13-inch pan.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place almonds in the preheating oven and toast for 10 to 12 minutes to heighten their flavor. Don't let them burn. Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate so they won't continue toasting. Set aside. Keep the oven on.
• Meanwhile, line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper that extends 2 inches on both sides of the pan. Center the paper across the loose bottom of the pan and clamp the ring closed over the paper and bottom. Grease springform pan and parchment paper. Refrigerate until needed.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Combine sugar, butter, and almond extract in a second bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy and the the sugar is no longer granular. Mix in egg and egg yolk until well combined. Add flour mixture and mix until well combined.
• Measure 1 cup toasted almonds and fold into the batter until evenly distributed. The batter will be thick. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula. Sprinkle remaining almonds across the top. Place springform pan on a baking sheet for easier handling and to catch any drips.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 28 minutes. Remove from the oven and set pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
• Unclamp the pan and carefully removing ring. Then carefully slide the hot metal pan bottom out from under the parchment, pulling the bottom in one direction with a potholder, and the parchment together in the opposite direction using a flap of parchment as the handle.
• Cool to room temperature on the parchment on the cooling rack, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled before cutting into bars, about 2 hours.

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SPINACH SALAD WITH TOASTED ALMOND DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Toss squash with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a shallow baking pan and spread cubes in 1 layer. Season with salt and pepper and roast in middle of oven, stirring once halfway through roasting, until squash is just tender and pale golden, about 30 minutes total. Cool in pan on a rack until warm, about 15 minutes.
• While squash is roasting, cook almonds in remaining 4 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch skillet over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper. Pour almonds and oil into a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl and cool until warm, about 10 minutes.
• When almonds and oil have cooled, whisk lemon juice into oil in bowl until combined well, then season with salt and pepper. Add squash, spinach, and half of almonds to dressing and toss gently to coat.
• Divide salad among 6 salad plates and sprinkle with remaining almonds.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH BROWN BUTTER, CAPERS, AND TOASTED ALMOND SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes; set brown butter aside and let cool for 5 minutes.
• In a medium saucepan, bring fish stock and vinegar to a boil over medium heat; cook until liquid is reduced to about 1 tablespoon. Reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in remaining 8 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in cooled brown butter until completely emulsified. Stir in capers, almonds, parsley, and 3/4 teaspoon salt; season with pepper. Set sauce aside and keep warm.
• Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Add scallops to skillet and cook until a light-brown crust forms, about 2 minutes. Turn scallops and continue to cook until cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Divide scallops evenly between serving plates; spoon sauce over scallops and serve immediately.

TOASTED ALMOND SNOWBALLS

Steps:

• In a medium skillet over medium heat, toast the almond flour, stirring constantly, until golden brown and fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Immediately pour flour into a small bowl to cool. Watch carefully: Once the flour begins to toast, it will happen very quickly.
• Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer, beat butter and 1 cup confectioners' sugar on low speed until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in egg yolk, brandy and almond extract until well combined.
• Reduce speed to low and gradually add all-purpose flour, salt and toasted almond flour until just incorporated.
• Scrape the dough into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Using your hands, roll dough into 1-inch balls and place balls 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, until cookies begin to brown at edges. Rotate cookie sheets halfway through for even baking.
• Place 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar into a sieve. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, sift a thick layer of confectioners' sugar over the tops. Once cookies are cool, put remaining 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar (plus any sugar in the sieve) into a shallow bowl and toss cookies again in confectioners' sugar.

TOASTED HAZELNUT-ALMOND BISCOTTI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a large sheet pan. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar together. Transfer 1/2 cup of the mixture to a food processor. Add the toasted almonds and grind until fine and powdery, about 45 seconds. Add to the dry ingredients. Add the chopped chocolate and whole hazelnuts and mix.
• Whisk the eggs, extracts, and almond liqueur together. Add to the dry ingredients and mix. The dough may seem dry, but it will come together as you work it. If the dough doesn't come together, add water. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 2 equal pieces. Wet your hands and roll each piece of dough into a flattened log about 10 inches long, 3 inches wide, and 1-inch high.
• Transfer the logs to the pan, leaving at least 3 inches between the logs (they will spread during baking). Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan after 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
• Let cool 30 minutes.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees. Carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board. Wipe off the sheet pan and grease it again.
• Using a serrated knife, cut the logs on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices, discarding the ends. Arrange the slices cut side up on the sheet pan. Bake until toasted, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the oven off, prop the oven door open, and let cool completely in the oven to set the chocolate. Store in an airtight container.

TOASTED ALMOND & CHERRY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the almonds and cherries; set aside.
• Melt the semisweet chocolate over low heat in a 2 quart saucepan, stirring constantly. In a 1 quart saucepan, melt the white chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove both saucepans from the heat.
• Stir half of the almond mixture into the semisweet chocolate. On a large cookie sheet, spread semisweet chocolate mixture to about 1/4" thickness. Drop the white chocolate by tablespoons onto the semisweet chocolate mixture. With the tip of your knife, swirl chocolates together for a marbles look. Sprinkle with the remaining almond mixture.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Break the bark into pieces. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month (believe me, it won't last that long!).

CHILL OUT, SPANISH STYLE: YELLOW TOMATO GAZPACHO, TOASTED ALMOND BREADCRUMBS, TUNA SALAD STUFFED PIQUILLOS OR PLUM TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the gazpacho: Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Cut an X in the bottom of each tomato, then drop into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds. Transfer the tomatoes to the ice bath to cool for 30 seconds, then peel, seed and chop the tomatoes. Place half the tomatoes, bread, celery, garlic, onion, chile pepper, cucumber, cilantro, lime juice and EVOO in a blender or food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Puree until smooth, adding a splash of bottled water if needed to thin the soup. Pour the soup into a pitcher and repeat with the remaining ingredients. Adjust the seasoning and store in the refrigerator. For the breadcrumbs: Spread the torn bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden. Let cool, then put the bread in a food processor with the almonds. Process until crumbs form. For the stuffed piquillos or tomatoes: Drain and flake the tuna, then combine with the olives, parsley, celery, onions, lemon juice and EVOO. Season with pepper and add more EVOO to taste. Stuff the piquillos and/or tomatoes with the tuna salad. Ladle the gazpacho into bowls and serve topped with the breadcrumbs. Cook's Note: If you are not serving immediately, store the tuna salad and the gazpacho, covered, in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Store the breadcrumbs in an airtight container at room temperature.

TOASTED ALMOND ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Sprinkle 1 cup of the crushed cookies and 1/3 cup of the almonds on bottom of 9-inch springform pan; carefully spread half of the ice cream evenly over cookie mixture. Repeat all layers. Top with remaining crushed cookies and almonds; press into ice cream with back of spoon to secure. Cover.
• Freeze at least 4 hours.
• Remove side of pan. Cut dessert into 16 slices to serve. Store leftover dessert in freezer.

DARK CHOCOLATE WHOOPIE PIES WITH TOASTED ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• For the whoopee pies: Position 2 oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• Combine both kinds of chocolate and the butter in a medium heatproof bowl. Fill a medium pot about a third of the way with water and bring to a simmer. Place the over the simmering water and lower the heat. Melt the chocolate and butter gently together, stirring and scraping the sides to avoid scorching, until melted, then remove the bowl from the heat. Cool 2 to 3 minutes.
• Whisk together the sugar, eggs and vanilla in another bowl. Set aside. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in another bowl. Whisk in the egg and then the chocolate mixture. Do not overmix.
• Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray and drop the batter on them in large spoonfuls about 2 inches in diameter, leaving room between each to allow spreading.
• Bake, rotating and switching the positions of baking sheets halfway through, until the whoopee pies puff up slightly and settle, 6 to 8 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before gingerly lifting them off and transferring to a flat surface.
• For the filling: Heat the milk in a medium saucepan until hot and add 3/4 cup toasted almonds. Turn off the heat. Allow the almonds to steep in the milk 25 to 30 minutes. Strain the milk and pour it back into the same pan.
• Beat together the sugar, cornstarch, flour and egg yolks in an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until thick, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour some of the hot milk mixture over the eggs and blend. Pour the egg mixture back into the milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the almond extract and continue to cook until the mixture begins to bubble, then cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring. Transfer to a bowl and cover with a layer of plastic pressed against the surface so the cream doesn't form a skin. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• Sandwich some of the cream and the remaining 1/4 cup toasted almonds between chocolate rounds. Drizzle with melted chocolate if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

TOASTED ALMOND GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add almonds, cook 2-3 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently, being careful not to burn. Add 2 Tbsp. of the butter, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and cumin. Cook until butter has melted, stirring constantly. Set aside on separate plate.
• Melt remaining butter over medium-high heat. Add beans, cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, sprinkle almond mixture over all. Salt and pepper to taste.

SWEET POTATO TOAST WITH ALMOND BUTTER, BANANA AND TOASTED COCONUT CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Slice off the 4 long sides of each of the sweet potatoes so the potatoes are squared off and sit flat on a cutting board. Slice the potatoes lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick planks, about 5-inches-by-2-inches (you should get 3 planks per sweet potato). Combine the sweet potatoes, coconut oil and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl and toss gently to coat. Spread them out on a baking sheet and roast, flipping halfway through, until lightly browned and tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes. Remove the sweet potato toasts to 2 plates.
• Divide the almond butter among the toasts, then top each with sliced banana and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Serve immediately.

TOASTED ALMOND

Steps:

• Pour over ice, mix well,& enjoy!

CRANBERRY-RICOTTA TARTS IN A TOASTED ALMOND CRUST

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the almonds and brown sugar and grind until the almonds are finely chopped. Add the melted butter and pulse on and off, just until the butter is incorporated into the mixture. Place 6 (4-inch) tart pans with removable bottoms on a baking sheet. (Or you can use a 10-inch pan with removable bottom.) Divide the almond mixture evenly among the tart pans, pressing the crust firmly against the sides and bottoms. Set aside.
• In a small saute pan, slowly heat the brandy, and pour it over the cranberries in a heatproof bowl. (Caution: Do not heat alcohol over a high heat or it will ignite. If this happens, simply let it burn away, making sure that there is nothing flammable near the stove. It will burn away in a matter of seconds.) Let the cranberries sit for 20 minutes and then drain.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine all the filling ingredients and stir vigorously until the mixture is very creamy.
• TO ASSEMBLE: Place the tart pans on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the cranberries into the crust. Carefully pour the cheese mixture just until it reaches the top of the crust. Bake the tarts in a preheated 325 degree oven for 45 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown. Let them cool completely before serving. As the tarts cool, the filling will fall and shrivel slightly. Nonetheless, they will still look irresistible. Remove tarts from pans just before serving.

TOASTED ALMOND MOCHA ICE-CREAM TART

Steps:

• Make the crust:
• In a bowl stir together with a fork the wafer crumbs, the almonds, and the butter until the mixture is combined well, pat the mixture onto the bottom and side of an oiled 10-inch fluted tart pan with a removable rim, and freeze the crust for 30 minutes, or until it is firm.
• Make the filling:
• In a food processor blend the almonds, scraping down the sides occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they form a nut butter, and with the motor running add the Amaretto. Add the ice cream and the chocolate and pulse the motor 6 to 8 times, or until the filling is smooth and combine well.
• Transfer the filling to the crust, spreading it evenly. Garnish the top of the tart with the almonds and the chocolate and freeze the tart, uncovered, for 1 hour. Cover the tart with plastic wrap and freeze it overnight.