Monday, November 26, 2012

Toast Blanched Almonds

Use blanched almonds instead of whole almonds for toasting.


Brought to us by the peach family, almonds are not a nut, but actually considered a fruit pit, according to Practically Edible, a food encyclopaedia. When purchasing blanched almonds, you'll pay more because of the processing involved. Blanched almonds already have the brown skin removed. These types of almonds are placed in boiling water, then into cold water and finally run through rollers that take the skin off. If you purchase whole almonds, you have to blanch them first before toasting. To save time and work when toasting almonds yourself, buy almonds that are already blanched.


Instructions


1. Heat your oven to 350 F.


2. Spread almonds evenly in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.








3. Place the baking sheet on the middle rack in the oven.


4. Bake the almonds for 5 minutes. Take the almonds out of the oven and stir them around with a spoon.


5. Return the baking pan to the oven's middle rack. Let them bake for 10 to 25 more minutes. Watch them closely, as almonds tend to burn quickly.








6. Remove the almonds from the oven when they are golden brown. Empty them on a plate to cool.

Tags: baking sheet, blanched almonds, middle rack, whole almonds