Spicy Almonds

Thank Kent for creating this new, yummy almond treat that is flavorful, healthy, and tasty!

2 cups raw almonds
1 T. avocado oil
1 1/4 tsp. Konriko Creole Seasoning
1/2 tsp. fine ground pepper
a few shakes of crushed red pepper flakes

1. Heat avocado oil in frying pan on medium high.
2. Put in 2 cups almonds.
3. Stir well until all almonds are coated with oil.
4. Sprinkle the spice mixture on top.
5. Continue stirring until evenly coated.
6. Cook until desired level of "roasted-ness" is achieved.
7. Pour into a bowl and enjoy!

Candied Pecans/Almonds

This recipe is from a friend of mine from Switzerland:

200 grams nuts
less than 100 grams sugar
100 ml water
little vanilla

For U.S. cooking, this is the closest I can come to the weight measurements:

1 1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup of sugar
less that 1/2 cup water but more than 1/3 cup. Go figure....Ha!
little vanilla

Pour nuts, sugar, and water into a heavy pan. Cook on medium/high heat until you see the liquid turn into a dry, sugary powder. Keep cooking just until you see the powder starting to turn into liquid again. You will hear the almonds starting to pop at this stage. Remove it from the heat so it doesn't burn. Pour into a buttered glass dish. Wait for them to cool and eat! Yumm!

You can also add cinnamon or any other flavor to your nuts. Enjoy!

Almond Sheet Cake Heavenly Goodness...

I got this recipe from my friend Codee and it is absolutely DELICIOUS!! But then again I love anything with almond extract.  Really though it is so so good! Its really light and creamy with the perfect amount of frosting.
I guess it is a Finnish recipe that she got from one of her friends....

Dry Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar(I did about 1 1/4-1/2 cups and it was still plenty sweet for me)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/2 cup sour cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp almond extract
sliced almonds, for sprinkling on top

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 15 x 11 jelly roll pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients and set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine butter and water--bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Add to flour mixture and stir to combine.
Stir in sour cream, beaten eggs, and almond extract.
Pour into prepared pan and bake 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Spread warm (not hot) cake with butter frosting (recipe below).  Sprinkle with sliced almonds.  Cut into squares and serve.

Butter Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk (the higher the fat content, the richer it will taste)
1/2 tsp almond extract(I probably did about 1 1/4-1 1/2 tsp, but just do it to taste)
3 cups powdered sugar

Combine butter and powdered sugar until well mixed, add in milk and almond extract, until desired consistency.

Sugared Almonds

200 grams almonds

less than 200 grams sugar

100 milliter water

1 tsp. vanilla

Boil water, sugar and almonds together.  Cook until it gets dry on medium heat.  Stir until the sugar starts to melt and you hear a popping noise.  Continue to stir until the sugar mixture sticks to the almonds.  Pour in a greased flat pan, spread the nuts out, and let cool.  Wash out pan with cold water after cooking the almonds.