Sugared Almonds And Pine Nuts Food

SPICY SUGARED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, cayenne pepper and 1 tablespoon of the sugar; set aside.
• In a 4-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water and the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar. Stir over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils.
• Add the almonds and stir constantly over medium-high heat until the water evaporates and the sugar starts to dry and turn gray. (The sugar mixture will start to foam and then start to dry and look like sand. This takes 5 to 6 minutes.) Continue stirring constantly until the sugar starts to melt and caramelize, coating about half of the almonds in a reddish-brown sugar mixture and the rest in a glossy sugar mixture, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cinnamon mixture over the almonds, stirring constantly, and immediately transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spreading the almonds to separate. Cool completely, then break apart. Store the almonds in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

ALMOND, PINE NUT, APRICOT CRUMB CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
• Combine the whole almonds and 1/4 cup pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse the machine until the nuts are finely ground. Transfer the nuts to a medium bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer beat the eggs and the sugar until the mixture becomes thick and pale yellow. Add the butter, and milk. Stir in the almond extract and apricots. Gently stir in the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Sprinkle the top of the cake with sliced almonds and remaining 1/4 cup pine nuts. Bake until the cake is cooked and a toothpick comes out clean, about 50 to 55 minutes. Let the cake cool on a wire rack. Use a knife to loosen the edges. Turn the cake out, slice, and serve.

PINE NUT AND ALMOND COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread 1 1/4 cups pine nuts and the almonds in a single layer on separate baking sheets. Toast until fragrant and golden brown, about 8 minutes for pine nuts and 10 minutes for almonds. Let cool.
• Combine nuts. Process half in a food processor with 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until finely ground. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining nuts and 3 more tablespoons sugar, and add to bowl. Stir in orange zest and salt.
• Beat 2 egg whites until fluffy. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the vanilla, and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into nut mixture.
• Using 2 teaspoons batter for each cookie, shape into balls, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush tops with egg white, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Press 2 pine nuts into top of each cookie for garnish.
• Bake until edges are golden and centers are set, about 17 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

SUGAR SPICED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine almonds and olive oil in a bowl; toss to coat. Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until toasted, about 15 minutes. Allow almonds to cool slightly.
• While almonds are baking, mix sugar, cinnamon, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture over almonds and toss again. Spread almonds in a single layer and continue to bake until spices are fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Cool before serving.

CAULIFLOWER AND BRUSSELS SPROUT GRATIN WITH PINE NUT-BREADCRUMB TOPPING

Steps:

• Fill large bowl with ice and cold water. Cook brussels sprouts in large pot of generously salted boiling water 2 minutes. Add cauliflower to same pot; cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes longer. Drain. Transfer vegetables to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well.
• Combine cream, shallots, and sage in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until mixture is reduced to 21/2 cups, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Remove from heat. Cool slightly.
• Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs; stir until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl; cool. Stir in pine nuts and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
• Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish; arrange half of vegetables in dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then 1 1/2 cups Parmesan. Arrange remaining vegetables evenly over, then sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups Parmesan. Pour cream mixture evenly over. DO AHEAD: Breadcrumb topping and gratin can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover gratin with foil. Bake covered 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle breadcrumb topping over and bake uncovered 15 minutes longer.

SUGARED CINNAMON ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with vegetable oil.
• In a large bowl combine sugar and cinnamon.
• In another large bowl beat egg white until slightly frothy. Stir in vanilla and salt.
• Add almonds to egg mixture and toss to coat.
• Then pour almonds into cinnamon sugar mixture and toss to coat.
• Spread sugar coated almonds on lined baking sheet.
• Bake 25 minutes; stir after 10 minutes.
• Let cool and remove from pan with slotted spoon.

SUGARED SPICED NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
• In a large bowl, mix together everything but nuts.
• Add the nuts and stir until coated well.
• Spread evenly onto a greased cookie sheet or baking pan.
• Bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes or so.
• Spread out on waxed paper to cool.
• Store in a zipper bag or airtight container.