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A Reader Recipe: Roasted Maple Cinnamon Almonds

Fit Community — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 05:33:20 PDT

These roasted maple cinnamon almonds from FitSugar reader CheesePlease make a perfect healthy snack or party appetizer. She posted her recipe in the FitSugar Healthy Recipe community group.

Make ordinary almonds extraordinary! These are easy to make and excellent for snacking! For the recipe, visit my blog Cheese Please.

Don't forget to post your own recipes in our Healthy Recipe group! Yours may be featured on our homepage.

5 Tasty Things to Do With Almonds

Camilla Salem — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:00:17 PST

I have a newfound appreciation for all things almond these days. I really appreciate the texture and the flavor (not to mention the health benefits) that this oblong nut brings to recipes. On its own, it stands out as a superb snack or appetizer, but it can also add some serious crunch factor to seemingly mundane dishes. Here are five ways to eat up the almonds sitting in your pantry.

Toss up raw, unsalted almonds with salt, black pepper, olive oil, and your favorite herbs and spices and roast them at 375° Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes for a savory snack.
Toast almonds in a pan over medium-high heat to get maximum flavor, then add them into any salad.
Keep a bag of sliced almonds in your freezer and add them to your morning oatmeal or sprinkle over pancakes for extra crunch and flavor.
Make your own almond milk, dry the leftover solids, and use them in baked goods!
If you're looking for a truly homemade challenge, grind them into a meal and use them in French macarons.

What's your favorite way to enjoy almonds?

Source: Flickr User mynameisharsha

Know Your Nuts? What's in an Ounce

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:50:45 PST

Nuts are one of the best foods you can nosh on because they're full of healthy fats, contain protein and fiber to fill you up, are cholesterol-free, and they're a great snack you can easily pack with you wherever you go. A serving size of nuts is one ounce, which is about a handful. Considering my handful and my hubby's handful look a lot different, I thought it'd be good to go over what exactly one ounce of nuts looks like. Take this quiz to see if you know.

Question 1 of 5

How many almonds are in one ounce?

Everything You Need to Know About Nuts

Heather Dale — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:55:06 PDT

I'm a bit of a nut head. An entire shelf in my kitchen cupboard is dedicated to my nut collection, with each kind of nut having its own designated jar. I also keep snack sizes of mixed nuts to stash in my purse when I'm heading out the door. When enjoyed in their raw state and preferably organic, nuts are a great source of protein, fiber, and they even lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides level. Not all nuts are created equal, and not watching your nut serving size can often do more harm than good. Here's a primer on getting the most out of your own nut habit.

A Mini Nutritional Nut Breakdown: A look at popular nuts including pecans, macadamia nuts, almonds, pistachios, and peanuts. Analysis is based on a one-ounce serving of each nut and includes calorie, fat, saturated fat, and protein amounts.

Keep reading to learn more about your favorite nuts.

Wintry Spinach Salad Is Satisfying Lunch

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:52:48 PST

When it's cold out, I crave hot soups, but sometimes, a crunchy salad with a warm component can be just as gratifying. Take this easy lunch salad for example. It's got piles of healthy spinach, salty almonds, and roasted pears. Instead of tossing in croutons and blue cheese, this delicious combination is served alongside the salad in fresh-from-the-oven toasts. I had planned on using dried cranberries for a pop of color but didn't have any in the pantry - feel free to add them in! If you dislike blue cheese, use goat cheese instead. Get the easy recipe.

Edible Gift: Toasty and Tasty Almonds

Michele Bell — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:10:28 PST

One of my favorite perks of the holiday season are the homemade treats that my friends deliver to the house. To reciprocate the kind gesture, I considered doing some canning and cooking for their gifts, but then thought better of the little time I have and decided a jar full of tasty and toasty almonds was a better option. On their own, almonds offer up a bevy of health benefits with the loads of protein, vitamin E, and fiber, just to name a few. Add a dash of cinnamon and a bit of egg protein and you've got yourself a snack that is bursting with flavor and other healthy perks. So before you go buy a bottle of wine for that holiday party, remember to give this a try. It may be more memorable and tasty than any old merlot could hope to be.

Ready to see the recipe? Just

Cinnamon and Sugar Toasted Almonds
allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 egg white
1 teaspoon cold water
4 cups whole almonds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
2. Lightly beat the egg white; add water, and beat until frothy but not stiff. Add the nuts, and stir until well coated. Mix the sugar, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the nuts. Toss to coat, and spread evenly on the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until golden. Allow to cool, then store nuts in airtight containers.

Print recipe with images | without images

Olives vs. Almonds

Michele Bell — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:00:10 PST

I never turn down an invitation to a holiday party. Too often, it's the same for the food, cocktails, and treats that often accompany them. To make sure I'm snacking smart at the soirees' snack stands, I've checked out two popular items that tend to find their ways onto many a hostess's serving tray - olives and almonds.

Ready to see the side-by-side breakdown?

Fast & Easy Dinner: Almond-Crusted Chicken

partysugar — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:30:28 PDT

Although deep-frying is a popular way to make a deliciously crunchy chicken, it's not the only method for crusty, finger-licking-good poultry. This recipe demonstrates that finely chopped almonds and a shallow-pan fry result in a succulent and crisp chicken. Served on a bed of lightly wilted spinach and sautéed shallots, it's a simple but well-balanced meal. Pair it with a glass of chilled white wine and you've got an elegant midweek supper. Look at the recipe here.

Cashews vs. Almonds

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:00:19 PDT

It's no secret that I'm nuts for nuts. From peanuts and almonds to cashews and walnuts, I'm a fan. A perfect snack for folks on the go, they satiate a hungry tummy while providing a healthy dose of fat and protein. Once upon a time, they were all the same to me. Now I pay attention to which nut I'm eating and how it benefits my diet so I can feel better about what I'm tossing on my salad or into my brownie mix. Almonds, a quick snack fix, and cashews, an age-old favorite, are the two nuts I feast on the most. To see how they fare against each other, check out my side-by-side comparison.

Have You Ever Worked With Marzipan?

partysugar — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:00:38 PDT

Over the weekend I made a princess cake for a friend's birthday. A princess cake is a layer cake with lots of complex components, including a marzipan dome. While I enjoy eating marzipan, this was the first time I've ever worked with it in my own kitchen, and it was harder than I expected! Have you ever used marzipan? I'd love to hear your tips for rolling it out.