Monday, January 21, 2013

Fun and Frugal: Quick Roasted Almonds

Okay you fit and frugal peeps. Jan here with a recipe that's SO EASY and SO GOOD you'll love it!

Remember, this month I'm sharing recipes that are 1) low cost, 2) tasty and 3) healthy.

Almonds aren't really low calorie, but they're such a healthy snack, you just have to have a few every day. I usually allow myself about 25 almonds a day, for around 170 calories. That way I get the nutrition without breaking the calorie bank.

I made my roasted almonds using a recipe from Spark People, but you can use this same basic recipe to make whatever flavor you want.

So here's the scoop.

Ingredients:

2 cups raw almonds
3 teaspoons olive oil
3 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons lime zest, freshly grated

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.

In a medium bowl, combine the almonds and olive oil until the almonds are coated.

Note: be sure to use raw almonds, not roasted or blanched.

Add all the rest of the ingredients except the lime zest. and stir until everything is well blended.

Spread the almonds out onto a shallow baking pan (or cookie sheet with sides). I like to line mine with parchment paper.



Roast the almonds in the oven for about 40 minutes, stirring once.



Meanwhile, make your lime zest.

I don't have a zester, so I use my grater. Grate the lime peel, both the green part and into the white part, until you have 2 teaspoons.








When your almonds are done roasting, sprinkle the lime zest on right away and stir. Once they're cool, store the almonds in a container.

I really like this cumin/lime blend, but I keep thinking about other yummy combinations, like cinnamon/sugar or garlic/Parmesan cheese.

What combinations do you think you might try?

22 comments:

  1. Wow, never would have thought of roasting almonds myself never mind adding anything to them before hand. I used to love having a few almonds or cashews when I got that 3:00 lull but now that I'm in schools I can't bring nuts of any kind for a snack. :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No nuts. Sigh.

      Maybe a couple to hold off the hunger pangs while you're fixing dinner?

      Delete
  2. Jan, what a great idea! I love roasted almonds and I like them in different flavors. Sweet and savory....

    We had a recipe someplace. I forget where. So this is awesome to play with! I love putting roasted almonds on my salads. I love the crunch. And when you're low-carb instead of low-calorie, you can eat all the almonds you want. They're naturally low in carbs and the few you get are a great trade-off. Thank you for this!

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  3. Jan, is your house really that clean????

    (walks away, sighing...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Confession time: I made my daughter move all her stuff off the table, and then I carefully chose just the right angle. Cropping helped, too.

      No, my house was only clean once. That was just before we moved in :)

      Delete
    2. LOL! That's what I do when I take my photos! LOL

      Delete
  4. Jan, I have ten bags of raw almonds in the house. Now I know what to do with some of them. Cumin is my favorite savory spice!

    I also realized why I was having trouble with my other roasted almond recipes. They are higher temp and tend to burn. I vow to be patient and stick to 250!

    Thanks.

    Peace, Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had problems burning almonds, too. There aren't very many things that taste/smell worse, are there?

      Delete
    2. Julie, I can't tell you how many times I've burn sliced almonds while toasting for a favorite Asian salad!

      Delete
  5. I never thought of roasting my own almonds, Jan. What a great idea. However, I'm afraid of the spice combinations my husband might come up with if I share this with him. He loves almonds. They're a great power snack.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are a great power snack!

      It sounds like your husband cooks like my youngest son. He comes up with the strangest combinations, but he always eats what he cooks and cleans up after himself, so how can I complain?

      Delete
  6. Someone, I could have sworn it was Julie, have me a great roasted almond recipe this Christmas and we've been maming them ever since. I tried the cumin but I think it was too close to cilantro for me... Hubby loved them, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may be right about the cilantro/cumin thing. How about chipotle and lime? Or cayenne?

      Now I need to go eat breakfast. I'm making myself hungry!

      Delete
    2. LOL, Virginia. :) It is really earthy like cilantro.

      Delete
  7. hmm sounds good but I can't stop at 25 unless they're super duper spicy and even then I've been known to overdo. I was thinking roasted almonds needed sugar and cinnamon though - forgot they're versatile and can go the spicy way (though no way no way no way I can stop at 25 in they're cinnamon and sugar...)

    Susanna who learned Saturday that Speedo makes jackets (honestly I had no idea they made tops- only bottoms!)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Susanna, I'm almost afraid to make these with cinnamon and sugar. Stop at 25? No way!

      Speedo makes jackets? Is anyone else asking why?

      Delete
    2. 'cause Saturday's post had a picture of Phelps wearing a speedo jacket - for speedo/speedbo or something or other...thought they just made those tight swim thingies...
      susanna

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    3. Jan, sounds really yummy--and interesting! I would never think of lime and cumin together. But you've got the warm cumin and bright line, so it's probably a nice balance!

      Thanks for sharing! I'm a big almond snacker. :)

      Delete
    4. Missy, I'm taking this opportunity to say

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

      again.

      :)

      Delete
    5. yes, Missy! Happy Birthday!! I keep seeing you on facebook and Seekerville, but there's such a crowd. But since we're in the cafe...

      We can sit down and have a cup of coffee together. What's on your birthday list??

      Delete
    6. Thanks, Virginia! I had date night with hubby while kids were on the church youth ski trip over the long weekend. The best gift today was that my son called and had the kids on the bus sing to me. :)

      Delete