[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] H[/dropcap]ave you ever roasted nuts with spices and been disappointed that the flavourings stay at the bottom of the bowl (instead of on the nuts)?
Recently I was inspired to try out a new method I’d read about from the very clever Emma Knowles in Australian Gourmet Traveller Magazine.
Basically the secret is to use egg white to bind the flavourings onto the nuts. It also helps the nuts stick together into crunchy clusters.
And even better, it gives a fine crunchy coating, instead of the oily vibe you normally get from oil roasted nuts. So delish!
To get the spices to stick to the nuts, use egg whites, butter, coconut oil, olive oil or blanch the nuts in boiling water. Some recipes call for nuts to be fried in oil prior to seasoning, but this adds unnecessary fat – you can make them just a delicious without all the extra calories.
Smoked Paprika & Rosemary Almonds
I just love love love the flavour of smoked paprika and rosemary together but can’t take credit for the idea. This was inspired by the roast nuts in the fab cookbook from little Sydney cafe, Cornersmith.
1. Preheat your oven to 180C (350F). In a medium bowl whisk egg white until frothy using a hand whisk or stick blender – no need to get your stand mixer out for this job.
2. Add rosemary, salt, almonds and smoked paprika. Toss until well combined. The fat from the nuts will deflate most of the bubbles from the egg white so don’t expect it to look meringuey.
3. Spread almond mixture on a baking tray (I line mine with baking paper for easier clean up).
4. Bake for 10 minutes. Check and stir. If almonds taste toasted, remove from the heat. If you like a darker roast leave in for another 5 minutes or so.
5. Cool. Store in an airtight container in the pantry.
no smoked paprika – use regular paprika.
different nuts – almonds, macadamias or brazil nuts would be the best substitutes or use a mixture.
egg-free – the egg is the magic which keeps the flavourings stuck to the nuts but if you need to be egg-free replace the egg white with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
No Better Smokehouse Almonds
FAQ
How do you get seasoning to stick to walnuts?
Should you use oil when roasting nuts?
How do you flavor unsalted nuts?
Do you salt nuts before or after roasting?
How to choose Almond seasoning?
When it comes to almond seasoning, selecting the right type of almonds is crucial. Opt for raw, unsalted almonds as they provide a blank canvas for the seasoning to shine. Raw almonds also retain their natural oils, which helps the seasoning adhere better and enhances the overall taste.
What can be made with raw almonds?
You can grind them to make a flour that goes great with fruits and yogurt, use them in place of nuts to make pesto, make a mousse or pate, add to your granola, and even make sauce or almond milk.
How do you cook almonds with spices?
Egg white – we toss the almonds with a little egg white to get the spices to stick and make a crunchy spiced coating on the almonds. Ground spices – Cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, smoked paprika, and a little cayenne pepper for heat. First, we mix the brown sugar, spices, and salt and pepper together.
How do you season almonds with herbs?
Experiment with different herbs to create a herb-infused almond seasoning. Try adding dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano to give your almonds a savory and aromatic twist. 3. Citrus Zest Add a burst of freshness to your almonds by incorporating citrus zest.