5 Different Ways In Ways You Can Incorporate Almonds In Your Diet

Almonds have been shown to boost cognitive function and aid in weight loss. They can be consumed raw, roasted, or as part of a variety of recipes, including desserts, salads, and savoury foods.

Almonds are high in nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats.

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New Delhi: Almonds are a popular healthy snack and are also utilised in a number of cuisines. They are high in nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats. These nuts have also been linked to a variety of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Almonds have also been shown to boost cognitive function and aid in weight loss. They can be consumed raw, roasted, or as part of a variety of recipes, including desserts, salads, and savoury foods.

Here are a few interesting ways to incorporate almonds into your daily diet:

1. Almond Butter:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup toasted almonds
• 2 teaspoons olive oil

Preparation:

• In a food processor, blend the almonds. Process this on high until the ground almonds form a ball. Drizzle olive oil over almonds and process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Keep it in an airtight container.
• Apply it to a slice of bread and start your day on a healthy note.

2. Rolled Almond Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons butter, cubed
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ground almonds, walnuts or pecans
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Melt butter and cream in a small pot and mix the sugar, almonds, and flour into the butter mixture until smooth.
• Cook and stir for 1 minute over low heat and then remove from heat.
• Work in batches of 4, drop 4 tsp of batter onto a baking sheet coated with parchment paper, and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until light golden brown.
• Allow cooling for 1 minute on the pan before immediately rolling it into a cylinder with the handle of a wooden spoon.
• Place on wire racks to cool completely.

3. Air Fried Almond Chicken:

Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup slivered almonds, finely chopped
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

Preparation:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Whisk together the egg, buttermilk, garlic salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
• In another shallow bowl, place the almonds.
• Dip the chicken into the egg mixture, then into the almonds, patting it down to help the coating cling.
• Place the chicken in an air-fryer basket in a single layer on a greased tray; spritz with cooking spray.
• Cook for 15-18 minutes.
• Serve with ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or mustard, if preferred.

4. Cherry Almond Muffins:

Ingredients:

• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

For Filling:

• 1 package (8 ounces) of cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup cherry preserves, warmed

For Topping:

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons cold butter
• 1/3 cup chopped sliced almonds

Preparation:

• In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Beat the egg, sour cream and extract until smooth; add the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened (batter will be thick).
• Take another large bowl, and beat cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
• For the topping, combine flour and sugar in a small bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Add the almonds.
• Fill the greased jumbo muffin cups half full with batter. Divide cream cheese filling and preserves evenly among muffin cups; swirl gently.
• Cover with remaining batter. Sprinkle with topping.
• Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the muffin comes out clean.
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

5. Sweet Chilli Almonds:

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup almonds whole
• 1/2 egg white
• 2 sprigs of curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp sugar (fine grain)
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder

Preparation:

• Dry the curry leaves entirely in the microwave on low power.
• In a mixing bowl, combine them with salt, sugar, and red chilli powder.
• Combine thoroughly. Mix the egg white into the almonds. The egg white should be just enough to delicately cover the almonds.
• Now add the masala and stir well. Spread the almonds on a roasting tray.
• Cook the almonds for 10 minutes at 120 degrees C in a preheated oven.
• Remove and allow to cool completely.
• Keep in an air-tight jar.