Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Culinary Uses For Almonds

Almonds are highly nutritious and delicious.


The almond is a tasty treat in itself, raw or toasted, eaten alone or with other nuts. Almonds are a joy with a multitude of culinary uses. They taste good and are good for you. These nuts are packed with calcium, copper, fiber, folic acid, iron, magnesium, niacin, potassium, protein, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin E and zinc. Eating almonds can give you a wealth of health. There are two types of almonds -- sweet, which are used for culinary purposes, and bitter, which are not because they can be quite harmful. Bitter almonds are not legally sold in the United States, and all culinary mentions of almonds refer to sweet almonds.


Main Dishes With Almonds


Curry chicken with pasta can be prepared with almonds.








Though almond skins are edible, their bitter flavor makes them unappealing to many palates, which is why almonds are usually skinned. The almond is a versatile ingredient that goes well with meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and fruit dishes. Popular almond dishes include almond chicken, green beans with almonds, and almond-crusted tilapia. Additionally, almonds can be used as a garnish.


Desserts


Almonds are used most often in desserts.


Almonds are used most often in desserts, such as baklava and nougat marzipan (traditional European candy). They are the main ingredient in many cookies, such as Italian amaretti cookies and biscotti, as well as French tuiles. Chinese almond cookies are so popular that National Chinese Almond Cookie Day is celebrated every April 9 in the United States.


Flour and Butter








Almond flour has nutritional benefits.


Almonds can also be used to make flour for cakes, bread and biscuits. An alternative to peanut butter is almond butter, which is less salty. Almond lovers can eat an almond butter sandwich on almond bread.


Liquid Almonds


Milk does a body good whether it comes from cows, soy or almonds.


Almond milk, made of processed almonds, is a milk substitute that appeals to lactose-intolerant people and is considered similar to soy milk. Other liquid products from almonds are almond oil, which is used for cooking, and almond syrup, used to flavor desserts.

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