You might not know it, but Sunday, February 16, is National Almond Day and while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying almonds as a tasty and easy snack on their own, we may be missing out on opportunities to pack them into our favourite recipes. Not only do almonds add texture and flavour, but they are also packed with health benefits.
That’s according to experts at recipe box delivery service, Green Chef, who are encouraging home cooks to add almonds to meals and snacks and are revealing “simple and delicious ways to do so”. A nutritionist there said they were an “unsung hero”.
Lily Keeling, a registered nutritionist and recipe development manager at Green Chef, said: “Almonds are a fantastic source of protein and fibre and they’re a great way of packing in some extra nutrients to both sweet and savoury dishes. Almonds are also a source of vitamin E, which contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress as well as magnesium and healthy monounsaturated fats, making them a nourishing ingredient to include in a balanced diet.”
How to get almonds into your diet
Adding blended almonds to curries and sauces
Almonds can add richness to dishes like korma curries and pasta sauces whilst also adding nutritional value. Simply blending soaked almonds with a little water provides a dairy-free alternative for a silky finish with extra health benefits.
Use as a breadcrumb alternative
For a crunchy coating packed with flavour, swap out breadcrumbs when coating chicken, fish or tofu for a golden crust that pairs with almost any seasoning profile you wish to use.
Use in baking
If you’re looking to get more almonds into your diet, or are looking to bake gluten-free treats, using almond flour is perfect for brownies, homemade granola or muffins. Almond flour keeps your bakes moist whilst adding a subtle sweet flavour that works with any flavour pairing.
Toss into stir frys or rice dishes
Whole or halved almonds can replace peanuts when it comes to Thai recipes and adding this tasty crunch to any noodle or rice dish not only provides texture but added health benefits too.
Create a pesto
Pine nuts are traditionally used in pesto, but you can swap these out for almond nuts. Simply blend with basil, garlic, olive oil and parmesan (or a vegan substitute) for a homemade and delicious pasta, salad or protein topping.
Sprinkle on porridge or overnight oats
Adding almonds whether flaked, chopped or whole to your morning porridge or oats on the go is the perfect way to start your day off with vitamin E and magnesium.
Blend into a dairy-free milk
By soaking almonds in water, a pinch of salt and a small amount of vanilla, you can make your own almond milk that can be used for baking, in your morning coffee or smoothie. This is a simple way to get the nutritional value, even if you’re not a huge fan of the taste.