2006-12-19

Spicy Almonds

spicy_almonds_finished

[recipe from http://www.quietfish.com/notebook/?p=55 via http://www.quietfish.com/notebook/?p=583]

Edited to add, Andrea's updated her recipe.

These are an absolute hit with all who have tried them!
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Ingredients:
  • 3 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 2 cups whole blanched almonds
    spicy_almonds_uncooked

    Andrea's updated her recipe to use this much less expensive nut combo: 1 cup whole almonds (shelled with brown "skin" intact), 1/2 cup pecan halves and 1/2 cup blanched almonds.)
  • 1/2 cup plus one tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (Andrea prefers 1 1/2 tsp)

Instructions:
  • Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the nuts and sprinkle the 1/2 cup sugar over them.
  • Saute until the almonds become golden brown and the sugar caramelizes.
    [Almonds burn quickly. Keep stirring!]

spicy_almonds_cooking
Don't stop stirring the almonds while cooking!

  • Remove the almonds from the pan and toss in a bowl with the salt, cumin, pepper flakes and the remaining sugar.

spicy_almonds_finished

  • Take the mixture and spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a non-stick baking sheet.
  • Separate the nuts before they cool. (Warning, if you don't do this, you'll end up with big candied nut balls!)
    NOTE:
    If your almonds are stuck to each other, break things into small enough pieces to put in a jar. Put the lid firmly on the jar. Give the jar a good shake and the almonds will, hopefully, separate themselves!
  • Serve warm or at room temperature.
  • Store in an airtight tin.
Makes two cups.

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