almonds

Worcestershire sauce is complex and layered with its distinct elements of salty, sweet, and umami. You might recognize it from the classic American snack Chex mix. I love to experiment with snack mixes, particularly roasted flavored nuts, like roasted almonds. I find it adds something special to an already delicious and healthy snack, especially when there are both sweet and savory components. Such is certainly the case with these worcestershire brown sugar almonds.

With the well-rounded combination of Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and smoked paprika, these sweet and savory nuts check every flavor box.

ingredients

  • 3 cups whole raw almonds
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

steps

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place almonds in a large bowl and add Worcestershire, brown sugar, paprika, and salt. Mix until combined. Pour onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cook for 30-35 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to evenly distribute the almonds, until they are golden and caramelized.

Almond croissants are one of my favorite foods in the entire world. They are sweet and delightful and the mere thought of their features ignites my senses with a wistful longing to eat one right now. What makes them so special is that nestled between the airy, buttery, flaky layers that are the croissant, is frangipane.

Frangipane is the rich, almond paste filling layered with flavor, which is part of what makes almond croissants so delightful. Frangipane can also be spread on stale bread to rejuvenate it into bostock or used in cakes and cookies to make them that much more special.

ingredients

  • 1 cup almonds (or 1 cup almond meal)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest

steps

Place the almonds and sugar in a food processor and grind until they form a meal. Add the flour and butter and continue to blend until combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time, and pulse. Add the almond extract and orange zest. Set aside.