SALTED ALMONDS WITH A CHILLI KICK

Good Morning to you,

I really should follow my own advice.

Shall I tell you why.

I have mentioned before, that even though I have been cooking for over 40 years, I still make mistakes. Actually, I think I should be honest and say I sometimes make 'silly' mistakes.  Usually it is because my mind wanders and I start thinking about something else, other than what I am cooking.

I have also mentioned, that it is wise to follow a  recipe when making it for the first time, so that you get a feel for the recipe and then the next time, tweak it to suit your own taste buds.

So, today, why did I not follow my own advice.

I have made salted almonds so many times, but using blanched almonds.  So why did I use almonds with their skins intact  this time, instead of the normal blanched almonds.

.... well the truth is, I had a couple of bags of almonds in my store cupboard and I really did not want to pop out to the shop to buy blanched almonds...... and I thought using the same recipe, the store cupboard almonds would be fine.  Well I now wish,  I had made the effort and popped to the shop, because it would have saved me so much time in the long run.

My first attempt at using  almonds with their skins on, was a bit of a disaster.  I cooked them for far too long and by the time I realised this, it is was much too late. The almonds were overcooked.

.... but I would not be defeated.  I began again. I focused and I am pleased to tell you, the end result, was a resounding success.

Will I make salted almonds this way again..... absolutely. Have I learnt from my mistake..... I certainly hope so, afterall, that is what life is all about, learning from our mistakes.

So I am not going to weep and wail anymore, 

instead, along with George, later today, I am going to enjoy a few of these salted almonds.

So it's on with the pinnie, and the music I am listening to today, is one of Natasha's favourite albums,

Tapestry by Carole King.  Natasha said that when she was a little girl, she heard me play this album so many times, that it became one of her favourite albums.

I do love this album and it is hard to choose just a few tracks, I would love to list them all.  I seem to remember  that I have said that quite a few times recently. So what to choose.... I think you will love, 'So Far Away', 'It's Too Late' and 'You've Got a Friend'.

So while I am listening to 'I Feel the Earth Move' I will organise my ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

TO 

MAKE

SALTED ALMONDS 
WITH A 
CHILLI KICK

300g almonds with skins

1 tablespoon of sea salt

1 teaspoon of unsalted butter

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1/2 - 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

HOW 

TO

MAKE

SALTED ALMONDS
 WITH A 
CHILLI KICK

Place the sea salt

and

the cayenne pepper

into a mixing bowl

and stir 

the ingredients together.

If you like a lot of heat,

then add more cayenne pepper,

but for us 1/2 a teaspoon is

perfect.

Using a wide saucepan,

melt 

the unsalted butter

along

with

the

olive oil.

When the butter has melted,

stir the olive oil 

and

butter together.

Then,

add the

almonds

and

cook for 2-3 minutes

making sure to

move the almonds

around the pan at all times
as they will catch
very easily.

Using a slotted spoon,

spoon the almonds into the bowl

containing
 the
 salt and cayenne pepper.

Toss everything together,

making sure all the almonds are coated.

Leave to cool,

then

enjoy.

Personally,
I love salted almonds

with a 

little

G&T.

If you would prefer to use blanched almonds, then cook them for 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Do you see the beautiful glass dish I have used.... well I bought it a couple of months ago.  I was admiring the dish and was ready to walk to the counter to buy it, when an elderly gentleman who was standing beside me,  asked me how much I was paying for it.  I told him 50p, which I thought was a terrific bargain.  He smiled and said I was really paying too much, as he said 50p was ten shillings in old money..... he continued to say,  if I had been around in the 1940's I would have been able to buy the glass dish for sixpence.

..... now that would have been a bargain.

Take care and I will see you on Sunday.