How to Blanch, Split, & Sliver Almonds

Submitted by UmmBinat

"Best stored refrigerated. Purchase already shelled almonds with their skin on which prevents the kernel from drying out and loosing its flavoursome oils. When needed de-skin (blanch) and if required split or sliver them. In the northern Indian state, Jammu and Kashmir, the almond tree is designated as the State tree. A dish called pasanda is a popular North Indian meat dish, derived from a meal served in the Court of the Moghul Emperors. Reflecting the dish's flavour and its connection with the almond, pasanda also refers to a mild curry sauce made with cream, coconut milk, and almonds in North India and Pakistan. Recipe taken from The Complete Middle East Cookbook by Tess Mallos."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 2
• Yields: 1 cup
• Serves: 1

ingredients

• 1 cup almonds, with skin on
• 2 cups boiling water

directions

1. * Additionally 1 fine bladed knife to split & sliver (if needed).
2. Boil water and pour over almonds in a small bowl.
3. Leave for 2-3 minutes then drain.
4. When cool enough to handle squeeze the nut and the kernel will pop out of its skin.
5. Use as required.

6. To Split:

7. Separate the two halves with the knife.
8. Use as required.

9. To Sliver:

10. Soak them a little longer when blanching to soften the kernel.
11. Cut them into 3-4 slivers.
12. Dry out slivers in a 300F/150C oven.
13. Use as required.

Reviews

[Outta Here]

This is a bit labor intensive and packaged blanched, and slivered almonds are readily available here. But if I only need a few for decoration on desserts or garnish on vegies or salads (and don't want to buy a whole bag), I would use this, since I always have whole almonds around.

 

[Lalaloula]

UmmBinat, this method is so great! It works like a charm and saves you so much money! I needed blanced whole almonds, so this recipe came in super handy! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing this great method with us! Ill use it for all my blanched almonds from now on. Made and reviewed for Everyday Is A Holiday Tag Game March 2010.

 

[littlemafia]

Great method!

 

[jas kaur]

I have used this method for years after watching my mom do it ..perfect!!

 

[Greeny4444]

This is the most awesome invention ever!!!! I am going to make Recipe #44422 for a halloween party, and I needed blanched almonds, cut in half. I had never used them before, and I was looking all over everywhere to buy them (I didn't know you could "make" them yourself). My husband (a.k.a. the driver) said, "where do these people BUY all this weird stuff that you can't find anywhere and that no one has heard of?" Haha! :) Anyway, I used 1/2 c. of almonds (55-I counted!), spread them out in a pie plate, and poured the boiling water (I didn't measure how much) over them so they were completely covered. I was impatient and only let them sit for a minute the first time, and the skins didn't budge. I was TOTALLY going to slam this recipe. Hehe. BUT... I decided to actually follow directions (I know...), and so I poured more water over them again, this time letting them sit for 2 1/2 minutes. The skins came off like a candy wrapper-amazing. I had to have halves for my recipe, and some slid right in half, but when they cooled down more, it got harder to cut them, I thought. I still have no idea where to buy these freakin' things, but because of your post, I don't need to worry about it anymore, and my Recipe #44422 will be super creepy! Thanks!!! :)