Category Archives: Nut Recipes

Triple Berry Crisp–Gluten Free

IMG_7716 IMG_7709 (2) IMG_7702 IMG_7698 I love sugar as much if not more than the next guy but this was an opportunity to make a berry crisp without any white sugar or flour.  I stumbled upon this recipe on one of the million blogs, sites and posts I see spouting Paleo and Gluten Free recipes. I am not a paleo eater nor am I gluten free but it can’t hurt to have a recipe that is light on the sugar and fairly healthy to boot. If you would like it a little bit sweeter you can add a tablespoon of coconut sugar or a packet of stevia, I didn’t and I liked it just the way it was.  It intrigued me since I love a crisp but hate the amounts of sugar that go into it, even though I do love eating it.

I had some fresh blueberries, some fresh blackberries and a few random raspberries that were going to go uneaten . What better time to try this? You can make this with just blueberries, or any berry or fruit you like. Berries are in abundance now and super delicious. This recipe took me all of 1/2 hour to put together. Use cooking spray on ramekins and baking sheet or use parchment paper for easier clean-up.  I used 4 ramekins but you can stretch this to 6 for sure.

I just sampled and can say that while they are not cloyingly sweet they have a bit of sweetness and crunch and you can really taste the tartness of the berries. I wouldn’t mind topping with some  ice cream or yogurt but I guess that would be defeating the purpose. There are some wonderful dairy-free ice creams out there and I suppose they would work just fine.

Just an addition– I ate it for breakfast this morning!!! with a little greek yogurt!

Ingredients:

app. 2 pints of berries — as I said you can mix them or use any one you like best. I used black, blue and raspberries. This can be made with apples, peaches, strawberries , nectarines and any combination of the above. I like making them in individual ramekins as a way of having portions already prepared which I think is very nice for dessert but equally nice made in a larger baking dish and you may need to double up on ingredients.

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 lemon

1 cup almond flour–available in most supermarkets today ( Whole Foods)

*1/2 cup slivered almonds–obviously can be made without nuts but I love the crunch

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

2 tbsp. maple syrup ( use pure maple not the artificial one)

1 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

In a bowl, mix together the berries with the lemon juice. Divide between the ramekins ( spray ramekins first) you can also bake this in one large baking dish of course.

You can use the same bowl or a new one, and mix together remaining ingredients until combined. Spoon the almond mixture over the berries. Bake for app. 30 minutes , until bubbly and golden brown. Mine were done in 25 minutes so check your oven after 20 minutes to see where they’re at.

Let it cool slightly before serving.

Triple Berry Crisp–Gluten Free

IMG_7716 IMG_7709 (2) IMG_7702 IMG_7698 I love sugar as much if not more than the next guy but this was an opportunity to make a berry crisp without any white sugar or flour.  I stumbled upon this recipe on one of the million blogs, sites and posts I see spouting Paleo and Gluten Free recipes. I am not a paleo eater nor am I gluten free but it can’t hurt to have a recipe that is light on the sugar and fairly healthy to boot. If you would like it a little bit sweeter you can add a tablespoon of coconut sugar or a packet of stevia, I didn’t and I liked it just the way it was.  It intrigued me since I love a crisp but hate the amounts of sugar that go into it, even though I do love eating it.

I had some fresh blueberries, some fresh blackberries and a few random raspberries that were going to go uneaten . What better time to try this? You can make this with just blueberries, or any berry or fruit you like. Berries are in abundance now and super delicious. This recipe took me all of 1/2 hour to put together. Use cooking spray on ramekins and baking sheet or use parchment paper for easier clean-up.  I used 4 ramekins but you can stretch this to 6 for sure.

I just sampled and can say that while they are not cloyingly sweet they have a bit of sweetness and crunch and you can really taste the tartness of the berries. I wouldn’t mind topping with some  ice cream or yogurt but I guess that would be defeating the purpose. There are some wonderful dairy-free ice creams out there and I suppose they would work just fine.

Just an addition– I ate it for breakfast this morning!!! with a little greek yogurt!

Ingredients:

app. 2 pints of berries — as I said you can mix them or use any one you like best. I used black, blue and raspberries. This can be made with apples, peaches, strawberries , nectarines and any combination of the above. I like making them in individual ramekins as a way of having portions already prepared which I think is very nice for dessert but equally nice made in a larger baking dish and you may need to double up on ingredients.

Ingredients:

Juice of 1 lemon

1 cup almond flour–available in most supermarkets today ( Whole Foods)

*1/2 cup slivered almonds–obviously can be made without nuts but I love the crunch

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

2 tbsp. maple syrup ( use pure maple not the artificial one)

1 tsp. cinnamon

pinch of nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

In a bowl, mix together the berries with the lemon juice. Divide between the ramekins ( spray ramekins first) you can also bake this in one large baking dish of course.

You can use the same bowl or a new one, and mix together remaining ingredients until combined. Spoon the almond mixture over the berries. Bake for app. 30 minutes , until bubbly and golden brown. Mine were done in 25 minutes so check your oven after 20 minutes to see where they’re at.

Let it cool slightly before serving.

Mad for Marcona Almonds

photo (46) photo (45) photo (44) photo (43)Having just returned from a wonderful trip to Spain , I fell back in love with Marcona Almonds. If you’ve had them you know how wonderful they are and if you haven’t you don’t know what you’re missing. I love these almonds and The Barefoot Contessa gave me yet another reason to adore them. I will have these delicious nuts out on Thanksgiving as one of my appetizers. They are wonderful anytime.

Happy Turkey!

Ingredients:

1 lb. roasted, unsalted Marcona Almonds

2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh Thyme leaves

2 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. fleur de sel or fine sea salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On an 18 x 12 jelly roll (baking tray) toss almonds, thyme, oil and kosher salt. Roast in oven for anywhere from 10 – 15 minutes. Don’t burn them. Be careful. They should be lightly browned, stir with a spatula every 5 minutes to be sure.

Sprinkle almonds with fleur de sel (sea salt) ,toss to combine. Let the nuts cool slightly . Serve warm or completely cooled. They can be stored for up to one week.

I make a few days ahead and store them .

Perfection!

Roasted Almonds–2 ways Simply and Spicy

photo (28) photo (29) photo (28)I love almonds, raw and roasted. Recently I started purchasing raw almonds and roasting them myself at home. Whole process takes all of 15 minutes and they are so yummy, I keep a little baggie of them in my  bag and eat on the go. Almonds are a superfood loaded with vitamins and they help curb hunger because they are  high in fiber and fill up your stomach. While I’m not a nutritionist ,  I have read a lot of information which states that they will also help  in lowering your total cholesterol.  Can’t guarantee they will help curb your appetite but it will feel good trying. Now you might say that just plain old raw almonds are delish as is and this is definitely true but it can never hurt to turn up the flavor can it?

The second recipe is for a definitely more fattening recipe for sugared almonds with a little kick of cayenne.  I would make these to bring to someone’s house or for appetizers with drinks. These are certainly not as healthy but super good. You decide what you’re in the mood for.

For Simple Roasted Almonds:

1 lb. of raw almonds ( easily divide in 1/2)

1 teaspoon sea salt flakes or plain sea salt (divided) if you like them saltier, use a little more salt, I just like a hint of salt. I have been using the flakes for this recipe because I had it in the house and I like the way it looks and tastes. Regular sea salt or kosher salt will give it the flavor just as well.

1 tablespoon olive oil (divided)

Directions:

For 1 lb. you’ll need 2 9×13 baking sheets. Divide nuts into 2 pans. For each tray I use 1/2 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes (you may want to add a little more salt if you like them saltier)  Mix with clean hands and roast at 350 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes. ( I roasted for 12 minutes) Cool and serve or store till you’re hungry for them. Could this be any easier????

Sweet and Spicy Honey Roasted Almonds:

2 – 2 1/2 cups raw almonds

1/8 cup turbinado sugar

1/4 cup honey

3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. If you’d like you can line a baking sheet with parchment paper, because they may stick to the pan without. I use my Silpat liners. If using parchment paper lightly oil the paper.

Combine the sugar and salt in a bowl which will be large enough to accommodate the almonds and set aside.

Melt the honey in a large skillet over low heat. Add the cayenne and the almonds and stir until all the nuts are covered with the spice and the honey.

Spread the nuts in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. Let the almonds cool slightly and then toss them in the bowl with the sugar/salt mixture. Remove the parchment paper and let the almonds cool completely on the baking sheet, spread them out.

Transfer to a serving bowl and you’re good to go. They may be stored in an airtight container for at least 4 days.

*original recipe for this was on foodandwine.com