Saturday, January 14, 2012

Chocolate-Covered Almonds



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I have one last almond confection to share with you. I'm nearing the end of the over-sized bag of almonds I purchased at a local warehouse store, and while I've gone a bit overboard with this recipe, I keep telling myself that it's O.K. because almonds are a superfood. Due to their health properties, they have become very popular, and, as long as you don't eat too many of them, they are actually good for you. They are high in protein and they are very filling. While they are high in fat, it is a healthy monounsaturated fat that has been proven to help stave off heart disease and diabetes. They are also high in antioxidants, especially if you leave their skins on. That's the good news. The bad news is I've covered them in sugar, chocolate and cocoa to make them more festive for Valentine's Day. That probably mitigates all the good stuff I've just walked you through. Almonds prepared in this way are delicious, but they are not easy or fuss free to make. This is a three step process, so you'll need time to make and clean up after them. You will, however, be really pleased with the end result. This is a delicious confection whose parentage is questionable. Greeks and Italians both claim bragging rights. Whatever their origin, I think you'll love this Mediterranean treat. Here's the recipe.

Chocolate-Covered Almonds...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of D. Schubring via the Chicago Sun-Times

Ingredients:
1 pound raw almonds with skins
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups confectioners' sugar or 1 cup unsweetened cocoa

Directions:
1) Combine almonds, water and sugar in a large heavy saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Adjust heat to keep mixture just at a boil. Stir constantly until syrup is reduced to sand, about 20 minutes. All of the water will evaporate and the sugar "sand" will adhere to the almonds. Remove pan from heat.
2) Spread sugared almonds on a baking sheet and place in refrigerator or freezer until cool.
3) Place chocolate in top of a double boiler and gently melt until chocolate reaches 88 degrees.
4) When almonds are cool, break off excess clumps of sugar and place half of them in a large mixing bowl. Pour half of melted chocolate over them, and stir until almonds are fully coated, separated and have cooled. Place chocolate-covered almonds on a wax paper-lined baking sheet and set aside. Repeat with remaining almonds.
5) Place one batch of almonds in a medium bowl. Top with half of cocoa or powdered sugar. Toss to coat and separate almonds. When completely covered transfer to a baking sheet. Repeat procedure with remaining almonds. Store in an airtight container or freezer if not to be served immediately.







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28 comments :

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

Oh these sound wonderful! I"m afraid they would be incredibly dangerous around here though! Thanks!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yum! Phil would polish these off within minutes!

Red Nomad OZ said...

HHHMMMmmm... well I'm sure chocolate is a superfood too!! Hang on, maybe I'm thinking 'supersize'?? Only kidding, this looks wonderful - nuts and chocolate are two of my favourite things!!

Priya Suresh said...

Yumm;super tempting almonds,feel like munching some.

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Oh Mary, Chocolate covered almonds and cherries are both my very most favorites. I hope you do not mind, as I would like to share this method with my recipe exchange .... yummy.

Lauren of Spanish Sabores said...

These look so good! I buy these all the time here in Spain (although I shouldn't) and have always wondered how to make them... thanks!

Francesca Maria Battilana said...

Ohhh very nice idea for cooking almonds!

What's Baking?? said...

Hmmm..absolutely yum yum

Becki's Whole Life said...

Love Almonds. I am hooked on Emerald's cocoa and cinnamon almonds. Would be fun to make them myself with this recipe!

From the Kitchen said...

I'm on board with your almond recipes because I purchased that same big bag at my warehouse.

I hope you have a delicious weekend!

Best,
Bonnie

Tanna said...

Oh, my goodness! These sound so very, very good to my dieting self!! Almond and chocolate: to die for. LOL! I'm thinking that the good and the bad must make at least a breakeven equation. LOL! Ah, the powers of rationalization. Have a wonderful weekend, Mary. blessings ~ tanna

Leslie said...

It's totally ok...chocolate is a superfood too!

Kim said...

Almonds are still super food, right???

Anna's kitchen table said...

I could really go for those, in fact, I think I'd have trouble stopping!!

Unknown said...

Perfect sweet treat snack. Very nice!!

Claudia said...

I buy these. I eat these. I never thought of actually making these. They are a wee bit dangerous (bet you can't stop at one) but oh so luscious.

Bites from life with the barking lot said...

I'm going to make them for Valentine treats for friends....and get them out of the house fast! Thank you!!

Joanne said...

Mmm I've been snacking on almonds just about every day lately and I could see these being a new fun addiction!

Valérie said...

Why do these remind me of childhood? I'm fairly sure I didn't have many chocolate-covered as a child, yet this recipe just evokes that period. Either way, they look wonderful!

Hannah said...

Oh, goodness me - these look delicious! I bet they are extremely moreish.

A PaixĂ£o da Isa said...

ficaram muito bons adorei beijinhos e bom fim de semana

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Oh my goodness ... I can't wait to make these. I am going to try them with my sugarfree chocolate chips. YUM. ( I am loving not being on my diet anymore and still trying to eat healthy.) Raw nuts and chocolate are both good for you.

Happy valentines day, Mary.

Fondly,
Glenda

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Oh these look so good...I buy them once in awhile at Trader Joe's, I don't know why I've never made them. The problem is i can never stop until they are gone!
xo
annie

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

A delicious way to have a healthy morsel. The only problem is eating just a couple.

Susan at www.ugogrrl.com said...

Okay, these almonds look heavenly. Thanks for sharing!

meghan @ scratch-made wife said...

Almonds are awesome. I have a bad feeling I'd be seriously addicted to these, though, so I better stick to just eating them in yogurt - and my hand. :)

Domestic Goddess said...

If I use dark chocolate, I could call them healthy...and not feel guilty!

Heather said...

These look amazing! I love chocolate-covered almonds, but they're so expensive to buy.

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