Almonds! (article - long)

[Guest guest]

This article came to me today from SoFlaVegans. Read to the end for a good =

 

brekkie recipe for the kids, ideas for using almonds day to day, and finall=

y

some fun facts ;=) Isn't it nice that some of the things we love to eat and=

 

indulge ourselves with are actually GOOD for us!!!!

 

Best, Pat ;=)

 

Almonds

Fresh Ideas

 

Almonds have been around for a long time. They are mentioned in the

Bible, and were a prized ingredient in breads served to Egyptian

pharaohs. It is believed that almonds originated China and Central

Asia. Early explorers traveling the Silk Road between Asia and the

Mediterranean snacked on almonds. Before long, almond trees

flourished in the Mediterranean, especially in Spain and Italy. In

the mid-1700's, the almond tree arrived in the California from Spain,

compliments of the Franciscan Friars. Today, California is the only

place in North America where almonds are grown commercially.

 

The almond is one of the most versatile nuts in the world. We eat

many varieties in many diverse forms. Almonds are delicious alone as

a nutritious snack and a great addition to many dishes. Almonds have

the highest protein content of any nut. They (along with all nuts)

are placed in the meat group of the Food Guide Pyramid because of

their protein content. Ounce for ounce, they are one of the best

plant sources of protein and contain no cholesterol.

 

Almonds are rich in minerals, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and

especially high in calcium. Almonds are high in mono-unsaturated fat

which helps to lower cholesterol, especially the bad cholesterol

(LDL). Almonds contain a high degree of oleic acid, which is believed

to be the ingredient in olive oil that protects against heart

disease.

 

Age to introduce: over 12 months (finely ground).

 

Note All nuts, whole and chopped, are a choking hazard and should be

introduced between 2- 3 years old. The nut allergy is becoming more

common, and in some cases is fatal. Children with asthma or a family

history of asthma, eczema, and hay fever are at a higher risk. In

these situations, we suggest that you consult you family physician

before you introduce any nuts or seeds into your child's diets.

ler Treat: Nectarine and Almond Gratin*

 

Don't let the fancy name fool you - This is a simple breakfast treat

or delicious healthy dessert. Essentially, it is a big, baked

pancake, it cooks quickly and can be cut like a pie and served.

 

*Recipe from The California Tree Fruit Agreement

 

Ingredients:

 

1 T 'butte'r, cut into small pieces, plus an additional teaspoon

5 Tbsp sugar

1 Egg [substitute]

1/4 cup soy milk

1/4 cup flour

1/8 tsp. salt

2 cups thinly-sliced nectarines**

2 Tbsp finely chopped or ground almonds

**If nectarines are not available, you can substitute 2 cups

thinly-sliced, peeled, baking apples (Golden Delicious, Ida Red,

Honeycrisp)

 

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 425 degrees Using 1 teaspoon of the butter, grease

an 8- or 9-inch shallow baking dish, then sprinkle it with 1

tablespoon of the sugar. Arrange the apples evenly in the dish. In a

bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, 1 tablespoon of the sugar, and

the salt. When well mixed, gradually whisk in the flour. The batter

will be very thin. Pour it over the fruit. Sprinkle the remaining 3

tablespoons of the sugar and the almonds over the top. Scatter the

small pieces of butter around the top.

 

Bake until the batter is set, the butter melted, and the fruit cooked

through, about 12 to 15 minutes. Let stand about 10 minutes before

cutting into wedges to serve.

 

Storage: refrigerate leftovers for 3 days. Can be frozen into pieces

as individual servings (great for breakfasts during the week).

 

Almonds For The Family

 

At the market: Almonds are sold in the shell, but are also available

in many different shelled forms - whole, slivered, blanched, chopped,

flavored, etc. You can also buy almond butter (a delicious substitute

to peanut butter) and almond flour, often used by pastry chefs.

 

Storage: Refrigerate or freeze. Shelled nuts should be stored in an

airtight container. They stay fresh for 3-4 months in the

refrigerator and up to one year in the freezer.

 

Here are a few easy ideas to add almonds in your meals:

 

Combine an assortment of whole almonds and other nuts with fresh-cut

fruits for festive appetizer or dessert platter.

For the flavor of fall, sprinkle baked squash, sweet potatoes or

apples with chopped almonds.

Sprinkle slivered almonds and mandarin oranges on a summer green

salad.

Sprinkle hot cereal with chopped almonds or add them to pancake,

waffle, cookie, cake, quick bread and muffin batters.

Stuff a pita bread with a mixture of cream cheese, chopped almonds,

apple, banana and pineapple chunks and raisins. This makes a great

lunch or after school snack.

For a Middle Eastern spin on plain rice pilaf toss a ½ cup chopped

dates and a ½ cup of chopped almonds to the rice pilaf just before

serving. It's a perfect taste with BBQ pork, chicken or Tofu.

 

 

Almond Fun Facts

 

Weddings and Almonds: The Romans used to shower newlyweds with

almonds as a fertility charm. And an early European tradition was to

give guests at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, representing

children, happiness, romance, good health and fortune. This tradition

still continues today in the United States.

 

California is King when it comes to almonds: Approximately 6,000

California almond growers produce 100 percent of the commercial

domestic supply and more than 70 percent of worldwide production.

Over 90 nations import California almonds, and they rank as the

seventh largest U.S. food export.

 

It's worth a try: One superstition holds that eating almonds before

drinking reduces the chances of getting drunk and having a hangover.