Almond Fruit Crisp Food

BLUEBERRY ALMOND CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rinse and drain the blueberries and pick through them to remove any stems still attached. In a 9 by 9-inch baking dish, mix together the blueberries, maple syrup or honey, arrowroot or cornstarch, lemon zest, lemon juice and cinnamon.
• In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the oats, almond meal/flour, sliced almonds, brown sugar and salt. Mix in the butter and yogurt. Stir until all of the flour is incorporated and the mixture is moistened throughout.
• Dollop spoonfuls of the oat mixture over the filling and use your fingers to break up the mixture until it is evenly distributed (no need to pack it down).
• Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is actively bubbling around the edges and the top is lightly golden. Let the crisp rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream (I insist!).

CHERRY ALMOND CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Start with the crumb mixture. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.
• Cut the cold butter into pieces. Add the butter to the bowl and use a fork or pastry blender to cut it into the flour mixture. The mixture should resemble a moist, coarse meal. Add the slivered almonds and combine thoroughly.
• Place the still-frozen cherries in a bowl, add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cornstarch and almond extract and gently stir the cherries to combine.
• Divide the cherries between 8 ramekins (about 1/2 cup each). Top with the crumb mixture, evening out the surface.
• Bake until the topping is crisp and golden brown, about 45 minutes. If the topping appears underdone, continue baking in 10 minute increments until it's done.
• To serve: Add the heavy cream and granulated sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip. Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.
• Serve the individual crisps warm or at room temperature with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

ALMOND FRUIT BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
• In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars on high speed until light and fluffy; beat in egg yolk. Reduce speed to low; gradually mix in flour mixture. Stir in almonds.
• In a small bowl, whisk jam to loosen. (Stirring the jam with a fork or a whisk will enable it to spread smoothly over the dough.) Gently press half of dough into bottom of prepared dish. With the back of a spoon, gently spread jam over dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border so the jam doesn't stick to the sides of the pan. Sprinkle remaining dough over top all the way to the edges; press gently to form top layer.
• Bake until top is golden, 25 to 30 minutes; cool completely in dish. Cut into bars with a serrated knife.

ALMOND CRISPS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment, and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites. Beat on medium speed until thick, about 3 minutes. Beat in extracts.
• Roll dough into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball with dampened fingers, and gently press 2 sliced almonds on top.
• Bake until just brown on top, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and place on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove cookies from baking sheet while still warm, and place on a wire rack to cool.