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| Medley of Italian Almonds with Rosemary and Olive Oil |
Introduction
I still vividly recall my very first bite of those herbed almonds while sitting on a breezy piazza in a quaint town somewhere in Italy: a simple humble bowl passed around a table and fragrant with almonds, rosemary, and lemon, meant for a snack of such nature, encourages you to halt everything and enjoy the moment. It feels like traveling with your taste buds. This Herbed Almonds Medley (Italian) to me, is perfection in every sense. It is simple, yet so pleasing to the taste buds, one might get carried away and finish the whole bowl in one go.
We have simplified the process of making an Herbed Almonds Medley (Italian) and have placed it for your convenience here. This classic is streamlined and the best part is, you can achieve this on a busy weeknight, or on a relaxed weekend to enough the company of friends.
Ingredients
-300 g (10.5 oz) raw whole almonds
-2 tbsp (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil of very high quality
-1 tbsp (15 ml) of fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
-1 tablespoon (15 ml) of fresh thyme leaves, chopped (can use 1 tsp dried)
-1 tablespoon (15 ml) of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
-1 teaspoon (5 g) of garlic powder (or 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced)
-Zest from 1 lemon
-1 teaspoon (5 g) of coarse sea salt, plus extra to taste
-1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of freshly ground black pepper
-Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons (20 g) of grated Parmesan (optional, for serving, omit for vegan)
Preparation steps
-Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the almonds from sticking.
-In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, garlic powder (or minced garlic), lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Mix until fragrant.
-Toss in the almonds and ensure that each nut is well covered with the herbed oil mixture. It is crucial that the mixture of herbs is well blended.
-Scatter the almonds onto the baking sheet, spreading them evenly. Providing them with some room space will allow for even roasting since overcrowding will act as an impediment to this process.
-Do remember to stir them once halfway through the time frame of 10 to 12 minutes in which the oven was preheated. Be sure to monitor the time closely. They should not be burnt, but rather, should give off the sweet aroma of being toasty and golden.
-Having not let the oven fully cool to room temperature, take the lid off and sample test some of the almonds. They will be hot, so be careful! You can give the almonds some cheese if you’d like. Toss the nuts and cheese together and the almonds will soften and stick together. Add salt as needed.
-Leave the almonds to cool on the bench. Remember, cooling takes a few minutes, but they will become and stay crunchy. You may serve them right away, or, for the next 2 weeks, you can place them in an airtight container.
Tips & Variations
-For step 5, the time frame may be 8 to 10 minutes, longer if needed. Tossing constantly should not be done too aggressively, as the almonds will muddle together. They can be made sweet-savory with 1 tbsp. of honey, flaked sea salt, or maple syrup if desired, which can be added to the olive oil beforehand, and finished with a sprinkle of flaked sea salt.
-To keep it authentic. Skip the parmesan and increase lemon zest and garlic for brightness. Herbed Almonds Medley (Italian)
-Storage tip: For longer freshness do not seal until cooled fully to room temperature. A glass jar prevents the longer.
Closing Paragraph
It’s always delightful to have a snack that’s uncomplicated yet feels rustic and sophisticated at the same time. This is why the Traditional Herbed Almonds Medley (Italian) works perfectly. It can even be enjoyed while preparing dinner. Did you know that the Mediterranean diet has had almonds for centuries due to the portability and flavor that they possess? This is why the almonds with the Italian herbs is such a tasty addition. Try this dish out and share it with loved ones. Be ready to hear more global recipes!