Almonds

For decades, those with high cholesterol have been given a list of don'ts when it comes to their diet: Don't eat cholesterol-rich eggs; don't eat butter; don't eat red meat or regular ice cream. Well, now researchers have identified a list of do's for the diet that may work to lower cholesterol levels better than avoiding those don'ts. In a study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found that eating cholesterol-lowering foods like nuts, soy protein, and certain fiber-rich items result in bigger drops in "bad" LDL cholesterol than avoiding...

Makes one 9-inch round This recipe produces a slightly different textured cake than Sergio Mendoza's at Madrid European Bakery & Patisserie. His recipe is, understandably, proprietary. Finely ground almonds or almond meal is available at most supermarkets; look for Bob's Red Mill brand (www.bobsredmill.com). Butter (for the pan) 6 eggs 1¼ cups granulated sugar Grated rind of 1 lemon Grated rind of 1 orange ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract ½ pound (about 2¼ cups)

Serves 6 When beets are on the menu at Tomasso Trattoria, the staff is likely to be eating beet greens. They’re nutritious and delicious, here blanched and sauteed, then topped with a lemon vinaigrette, chopped tomato, and toasted almonds. Greens from 2 bunches beets Salt and pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced ...

Stuffed chicken breasts with matzo farfel, apricots, and almonds Serves 10 You need whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts for this dish. Most breasts come already cut in half, so you may need to order them. You can assemble the chicken, already rolled up and in the baking dish about two hours ahead; cover and refrigerate until baking. 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 6 ounces white mushrooms, chopped 2 celery ribs, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Salt and...

Makes 2 cups 2 cups whole raw almonds 2 teaspoons light brown sugar 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil ...

Serves 12 Tamari, which is a soy sauce, gives a savory and somewhat smoky note to these sweet and salty bites. Roast the almonds long enough to really caramelize the sugar. This guarantees crispy almonds that will not stick together once they cool. 3  tablespoons olive oil   3  cups whole almonds (skins intact)  1 1/2  teaspoons salt  3  tablespoons sugar  1/3  cup tamari   Olive oil (for brushing)  1. Set the oven at 350 degrees.

Makes 3 cups Many suggestions in "Gourmet Gifts: 100 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion" are immensely appealing, these Spanish-style nuts among them. They're shiny and crackly at the end of baking, which is 4 hours in a very low oven. 1   egg white, lightly beaten   ½   teaspoon water   12   ounces whole blanched almonds   2   teaspoons sea salt flakes, such as Malden Sea Salt   6   fresh bay leaves or 3 dried   1. Set the oven at 150 degrees or its lowest setting.

Serves 6 A simple French treat that uses up day-old brioche, bostock is spread with the almond cream, frangipane, and baked until golden and crisp. You can also use challah or pain de mie. 3 ounces (about 1/2 heaping cup) whole unblanched almonds 6 tablespoons granulated sugar 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 tablespoon flour 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 6 ...

Serves 6 1/2 cup sliced almonds 2 tablespoons peanut oil 2 pounds green beans, stems removed Salt and pepper to taste 4 tablespoons water 1. In a large flameproof casserole over medium heat, toast the almonds, tossing constantly, for 5 minutes or until they...

Serves 4 with leftovers 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (7 to 8 ounces each) 1 teaspoon grated orange rind Juice of 2 oranges 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 4 tablespoons olive oil, and more if needed ...

Makes 12 Pureed chickpeas keep these muffins moist and tender. Ground almonds contribute a hearty nuttiness and healthy fat. TOPPING 1  tablespoon ground almonds  1 1/2  teaspoons sugar  1/4  teaspoon ground cardamom  1. In a small bowl combine the almonds, sugar, and cardamom. 2. Stir well; set aside. BATTER 1  can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed   Grated rind of 2 lemons   Grated rind of 1 orange  2  tablespoons lemon juice  2  tablespoons orange juice  1/4  cup olive oil  1/2  cup...

Long weekends are for cooking projects, no? I have wanted to make Persian jeweled rice for years. The one on the left is from this blog , not the recipe I used. But it will give you an idea of the time involved candying orange rind, soaking and blanching rice, making liquid saffron. No one thing is all that difficult, but the steps just go on and on. So I'm dutifully making the rice on Saturday afternoon for guests coming that night. Dessert was made by one of the guests, the first course would be Turkish red lentil soup (mix and match of cultures here)

Cheeks flushed, muscles flexed, Brian Quinn's attention never wavers from the batch of roasting pecans as they turn a rich brown in their copper bowl. Quinn, whom friends call Q, and his wife, Beth, run Q's Nuts. They make a variety of sweet and savory cashews, pecans, almonds, and peanuts. Some of their popular selections are Mexican chocolate pecans, Key Lime ginger cashews, cayenne mango and rosemary sea salt almonds, and fiery cashews with hot chilies ($3.50 for 2.5- and 3-ounce bags; $7 for 5- and 6-ounce bags)

Serves 12 Tamari, which is a soy sauce, gives a savory and somewhat smoky note to these sweet and salty bites. Roast the almonds long enough to really caramelize the sugar. This guarantees crispy almonds that will not stick together once they cool. 3  tablespoons olive oil   3  cups whole almonds (skins intact)  1 1/2  teaspoons salt  3  tablespoons sugar  1/3  cup tamari   Olive oil (for brushing)  1. Set the oven at 350 degrees.

Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Almond is recovering from surgery to amputate the lower part of his left leg. WPRI-TV ( http://bit.ly/sI31aE) reports that Almond is undergoing physical therapy at Kent Hospital in Warwick. The 75-year-old Republican former governor has had several health issues with his feet over the years. Almond was governor from 1995 until 2003. –– Information from: WPRI-TV, http://www.wpri.com

Serves 6 The traditional dessert served in every home in Denmark on Christmas Eve has a French name. Ris a l'amande, or rice with almonds, is a rich pudding made with heavy cream, whole milk, and chopped almonds. It is scented with vanilla and served with a red fruit sauce, here made with frozen cherries and red-currant jelly. A whole blanched almond is hidden in the pudding, and the person who finds it receives a small marzipan pig, which means good luck in the year ahead. PUDDING 3/4  cup medium-grain white rice  1/2  cup cold water  4  cups...

Serves 6 At the Salem restaurant, Sixty2 on Wharf, chef and co-owner Antonio (Tony) Bettencourt is making Mediterranean dishes such as char-grilled lamb steak with farro, green olives, and almonds. The former Tomasso Trattoria chef says, "This dish has almost a Spanish flair. It typifies my cooking in that it is rustic and chunky, with whole herbs, segments of Meyer lemons instead of lemon juice. " Rather than chopping vegetables into miniscule pieces, he adds garnishes such as parsley leaves whole.

Makes 1 large rectangular cake STREUSEL Butter (for the pan) 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup light brown sugar 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt ...

Serves 4 ½   cup slivered almonds   1 ½   cups water   1   tablespoon olive oil   ¾   cup couscous   ½   cup raisins     Grated rind and juice of 2 lemons     Salt and pepper, to taste   3   scallions, thinly sliced   1. Set the oven at 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the almonds for 15 minutes; set aside to cool. 2. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.