Toasted Almonds with Sea Salt

Makes 2 cups (11 oz/345 g)

Toasted Almonds with Sea Salt There's no better match for a bottle of California Chardonnay than these nutty slow-roasted almonds. Baking them slowly drives off moisture and makes them particularly crisp. I buy unskinned almonds because I believe they are fresher, but you can use blanched almonds and omit Step 2.

2 cups (11 oz/345 g) whole unskinned almonds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C.).

2. Bring a saucepan three-fourths full of water to a boil over high heat. Add the almonds and boil for 30 seconds. Drain, then immediately wrap the almonds in a kitchen towel and rub them in the towel to loosen the skins. Pinch the almonds from the skins; the almonds should slip out easily.

3. Transfer the almonds to a heavy rimmed baking sheet. Add the oil and toss to coat evenly. Add the salt and toss again.

4. Place in the oven and toast, stirring the almonds once or twice so they brown evenly, until golden brown and fragrant, about 30 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to cool completely, about 1 hour, before serving.

Nutritional analysis per 1/4 cup serving:
Calories 125 (Kilojoules 525); Protein 4 g; Carbohydrates 4 g; Total Fat 12 g; Saturated Fat 1 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Sodium 248 mg; Dietary Fiber 2 g.

Buy the Book!

California
The Williams-Sonoma
New American Cooking Series
Time Life Books, 2000
Hardback, $22.95
Color photographs throughout
ISBN: 0-7370-2039-3
Recipe reprinted by permission.