Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Wasabi Almond and Cinnamon Almond

Make your own roasted almonds - wasabi flavored for your "savory" moments or cinnamon & vanilla for a "sweet-tooth" attacks. It's easy, healthy, much tastier and cheaper than store-bought..

Blog's Category: Snacks 

 




Intro

I decided to make roasted almonds my primary snack choice. ...Also I easily get bored by the same food - roasted almonds in this case. ....Also I just come across a large bag of raw almonds by bargain price at my local Costco store. That's why I started strolling through the internet in a search of savory and sweet roasted almonds.
Another requirement - I want my almonds dry roasted, which means roasting without use of vegetable oils.
After research, I figured out that I will definitely use egg whites mixed with tiny amount of water or seasoning liquid such as vanilla extract. It helps spices, seasonings or sugar to adhere better. All the rest is a matter of your flavor preferences and your creativity.
For a first time I decided on two kinds: savory - wasabi flavor and sweet - cinnamon with vanilla.
I was so happy with results that couldn't wait to post them here ASAP!
..And already planning on the next batch, rose water flavored :)
FYI: right now I'm grazing on a both, wasabi and cinnamon, almonds and realize that it's really hard to tell which one is better - both are so-o-o-o good!



What is it?

Roasted wasabi almonds - almonds are moistened with a mix of egg white and a little water, then stirred with a powdered wasabi, a little corn starch and salt and then roasted. I think corn starch helps to create nice coating. Although next time I'll try this recipe without corn starch - we'll see what's going to happen.

Roasted cinnamon & vanilla almonds - almonds are moistened with a mix of egg white and a vanilla extract, then stirred with sugar, cinnamon and a little salt and then roasted.

 
Taste Description

Wasabi kind is not particularly spicy or salty. They are just right - light mustardy flavor of wasabi equally balanced with very moderate saltiness. If you want a real kick from wasabi - double, at least, amount of wasabi powder or add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.

Cinnamon & vanilla almonds will fill your house with amazing aroma - do not turn on your exhaust! The final product is the yummiest cinnamon almonds ever. Boosted with vanilla, cinnamon flavor rules anyway, but has more diffused, transformed, heavenly flavor. 


How to Serve/Store

Keep in a closed container, in a kitchen "snacks" cabinet.

 

 
As a generous snack supply for a whole family:
  • 4 cups whole raw almond
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tbs water
  • 2 tbs wasabi powder
  • 2 tsp course sea salt
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
- Preheat oven to 235F.

- Beat egg white and water just until well mixed together. Pour it into your almonds and stir in well using your hands.

- In a separate small bowl mix wasabi powder, corn starch and salt.

- Sprinkle wasabi mix on a top of almonds and mix well with your hands.

- Place silicon mat on a baking sheet and pour almonds on it. Distribute evenly and pop in an oven for at least 1 hour, stirring once in a mid-way. Almonds are ready when almonds inside have a light tan color.

- When cooled down completely, transfer into container with lid. Enjoy!
 

As a generous snack supply for a whole family: 
  • 4 cups whole raw almonds
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tbs vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 1 tbs ground cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 235F.

- Beat egg white and vanilla extract just until well mixed together. Pour it into your almonds and stir in well using your hands.

- In a separate small bowl mix cinnamon, both sugars and salt.

- Sprinkle cinnamon mix on a top of almonds and mix well with your hands.

- Place silicon mat on a baking sheet and pour almonds on it. Distribute evenly and pop in an oven for at least 1 hour, stirring once in a mid-way. Almonds are ready when almonds inside have a light tan color.

- When cooled down completely, transfer into container with lid. Enjoy!

 

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IN PICTURES

WASABI ALMONDS

Asian markets sell huge bags of wasabi powders. Actually it is not wasabi per ce, it's horseradish... and it's exactly what you get (mixed with water) in a most oriental restaurants under the name "wasabi paste". Well.. it's fine with me. Horseradish it is! Equally good!



egg white beaten with a spoon of water goes into almonds.



Almonds in a wasabi mix, before going into the oven.

..and after.



 
 
CINNAMON & VANILLA ALMONDS
 
egg white + vanilla extract are poured over almonds.





..right before going into the oven..

..mid-way stirring..

 


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