Spiced Almonds For The Tapas Bar Food

SPANISH SPICED ALMONDS (ALMENDRAS FRITAS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 - 10 minutes until aromatic and slightly darker in colour.
• Meanwhile, combine the smoked paprika and sea salt in a small dish.
• Remove almonds from the oven and place in a medium bowl.
• Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with the paprika - salt mixture. Serve warm.

SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer the almonds to a bowl.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cumin, garlic, cayenne pepper and salt. Heat the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Stir the spices into the oil and cook, stirring until warm, about 30 seconds. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently, until the nuts are warm and the spices are evenly distributed. Add the hot pepper sauce and stir to distribute. Remove the almonds from the pan and allow them to cool before serving.

ALMOND SPICE BARS

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang; coat with cooking spray. Bring the honey and granulated sugar to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring to dissolve. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg; let cool slightly, 10 minutes.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Quickly stir the beaten egg into the honey-sugar mixture with a rubber spatula, then add the almonds, orange peel, vanilla, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon liqueur. Stir in the flour mixture until combined (the dough will be stiff and dry). Scrape into the prepared pan. Lightly coat a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray and use to press the dough into an even layer. Set aside 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the bars until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, orange juice and remaining 1 tablespoon
• liqueur in a bowl until smooth. Brush the warm bars with some of the glaze; cover the remaining glaze and set aside. Let the bars cool 10 minutes in the pan, then remove to a cutting board. Cut into 1-by-2 1/2-inch bars and let cool completely on a rack.
• Drizzle the bars with the remaining glaze; top with candied orange peel.

SPANISH SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300*F.
• Warm the oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add paprika dn cumin, and stir 1 minute to mix and release flavors. Remove from heat when mixutre just begins to bubble. Move to a medium bowl, and stir in the almonds.
• Transfer almonds to parchment lined baking sheet, and bake 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle right away with salt, and move to wire rack. Let dry at least 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!

SPICED ALMONDS FOR THE TAPAS BAR

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Grind salt and paprika in a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder till fine.
• Place almonds on cookie sheet and toast for 5-10 minutes.
• Pour into a glass bowl and toss in 1 tablespoon oil to coat using more if needed.
• Add seasonings stirring to coat.
• Serve at room temperature.

SPICED MARCONA ALMONDS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
• Whisk together egg white, salt, cumin, and paprika in a bowl, then add almonds and toss to coat. Spread almonds evenly on baking sheet and roast until golden, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer nuts on parchment to a rack and cool completely (almonds will crisp as they cool). Loosen nuts from parchment with a spatula and transfer to a bowl.

SPICED CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Lightly butter an 8-inch square baking dish and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Place a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter and cook until the foaming settles and the butter is light brown in color and is starting to smell nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove the butter from the heat and stir in the almond butter with a rubber spatula until smooth. Add the almond flour, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger and salt and stir until incorporated. Add the confectioners' sugar and stir until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan and set aside.
• Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Place the bowl over a small saucepan with an inch of water in it that the bowl fits snuggly on top of. Place the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until the chocolate is almost melted, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth (see Cook's Note). Pour the mixture over the almond base and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the toasted almonds. Refrigerate until just set, about 20 minutes (see Cook's Note).
• Using a small serrated knife, cut into bars and refrigerate, at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.

CUMIN-AND-PAPRIKA-SPICED MARCONA ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a bowl, whisk together the egg white, salt, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and the cayenne. Add the almonds and toss to coat.
• Spread the almonds out evenly on the prepared baking sheet and roast until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through. Transfer to a plate to cool for about 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of cumin and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of paprika. Sprinkle this mixture over the cooled nuts. Store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.