Question Description:
What are the benefits of almonds? What should I pay attention to?
Analysis:
It is said that almonds are healthy food. Do you believe it? It can be verified from the following ways of eating.
1. Dried sardines and almond slices are popular among Japanese teenagers.
Nutritional basis: Almond is rich in protein and calcium, which is beneficial to growth.
2. Many vegetarians are used to using almonds as the nutritional basis of snacks and dishes
: almonds can supplement protein and important minerals, such as iron, zinc and vitamin E.
3. Athletes often choose almonds as training food
Nutritional basis: almonds have the characteristics of supplementing energy.
4. recommendation from doctors: 1 handful of almonds a day is good for the heart
nutritional basis: almonds are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin e, which are very helpful to control or even reduce the cholesterol content in the blood and have antioxidant function, so they are very beneficial to prevent heart health and diabetes.
5. People who lose weight can also safely choose almonds as the nutritional basis of snacks
This is because almonds are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that do not cause obesity, and the content of saturated fatty acids is very low. In addition, the cell wall of almond will prevent lipase from contacting fat, thus reducing the digestion and absorption of fat. That is to say, the 164 calories of an ounce of almonds listed on the food label are not the calories we will really consume.
a. Selection tips
Almonds are basically divided into sweet almonds and bitter almonds. Knowing them, you will know what is most suitable for taking into the kitchen.
bitter almonds VS sweet almonds
bitter almonds: China almonds are bitter and used for seasoning or making almond syrup
sweet almonds: California almonds are slightly sweet, delicate and can be eaten directly, and can also be added as raw materials in cakes, cookies and dishes
B. storage tips of almonds
1. If the canned almonds are stored in a dry environment, their shelf life can be as long as two years. The opened almonds should be placed in an airtight storage tank.
2. In a dry and cool storage environment, the best edible period of almonds is 3 months. Avoid exposing almonds to moisture.
3. Almonds are also suitable for storage in the refrigerator, which can significantly extend the shelf life. However, we must pay attention to dense packaging when refrigerating to prevent almonds from mildew caused by moisture or freezing.
C. Cooking tips
1. Variety of forms: Almonds can be used to make porridge, cakes, toast and other types of food, and can be well matched with other ingredients. The taste of peeled almonds is slightly lighter than that of peeled almonds, while the taste of roasted almonds is rich.
2. Blending flavor: The fragrance of almonds is moderate. When mixed with other ingredients, it is strong enough to show the oily flavor of nuts, and light enough to add just the right greasy flavor without masking the overall flavor of the formula.
3. Rich colors: Almonds can set off the thickness of food color in a light background, and can also set off dark ingredients, such as chocolate, fruits and vegetables, to add color.
4. As thickener and coating: such as thickener for soup, or coating for meat and seafood.
5. Wide collocation: different forms of almonds-whole grain, slice, strip, crushed or powder, with or without skin, can diversify the appearance, texture, taste and application of different dishes.
Full exposure to almond cooking
7:3AM breakfast-almond porridge features: a warm and enjoyable nutritious breakfast.
ingredients: (2 persons): 2 cups of water, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of cereal, 1 cup of milk, 3 teaspoons of honey, 6 teaspoons of roasted almond slices or pieces, and 3 teaspoons of dried raisins. Preparation method: bring the water with salt to a boil, turn down the heat, and pour the cereal while stirring. Then cook for 1 minute while stirring. Cover the container, remove it from the fire, and cool it for 2 ~ 3 minutes. Enjoy it with milk (add as much as you like), raisins, almond slices/pieces and honey. Tips: You can use kitchen scissors to divide almonds into small pieces.
add a meal at 1: 3am-dried fruits and almonds features: the combination of tropical fruits and almonds makes this dish colorful. The materials are diverse and nutritious, and the taste is more delicious when you drink freshly squeezed juice, mineral water or tea. It is also very simple to make, and it is a good office snack. Ingredients (4 persons): 1g of almond, 5g of dried banana, 5g of dried sweet potato, and 15g of dried coconut strips or slices from California, USA. Methods All the raw materials are put in a large container and mixed well. Tips: You can choose different dried fruits according to your personal preference.
12:AM lunch-almond and olive with French bread
Features: almond and olive sauce can be made from almonds, olives and garlic in a few minutes, and served with freshly baked French toast, which is a delicious and nutritious lunch. Have another glass of beer, iced tea or lemonade. It's delicious!
raw materials (5 portions): 12g peeled green olives (about 14 pieces), 4g California almonds, 5 cloves of garlic, 6 teaspoons of olive oil, salt and a little black pepper
Production method:
1. Make almonds, olives and garlic into blocks respectively, mix them, add a little salt and black pepper, sprinkle with 4 or 5 teaspoons of olive oil, and stir.
2. Slice French bread (about 4cm thick), coat it with a little olive oil and bake until golden brown.
3. Then spread the almond and olive sauce on the toast, and set the plate.
afternoon tea at 15: pm-Italian almond shortbread
Features: It has a strong Italian flavor and can be enjoyed with tea or coffee. Ingredients (2 portions): 3 eggs, crushed dried orange peel (orange peel of 2 oranges), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 cups roasted almond granules, and 4 grams of dark chocolate (milk chocolate is also acceptable)
Making method: Brush a layer of vegetable oil or cover a layer of baking paper on the baking tray. Break the eggs and add orange peel, vanilla extract and almond extract for later use.
2. put the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt into a container and mix well. Add the egg mixture, mix well and sprinkle a few drops of almond extract. Divide the dough into two pieces, knead it into an arch shape, put it in the oven for about 3 ~ 4 minutes until it is golden yellow, take it out and put it on the grill to dry for about 5 minutes.
3. Slice the baked dough obliquely into 2 cm thick slices, and when the oven temperature drops to 135℃, put it back in the oven to bake for 2 ~ 25 minutes, and turn it over once to make a crisp cake.
4. After the shortbread is cooled, soak it in the melted chocolate.
19:PM dinner-almond summer salad
Features: the refreshing flavor is especially suitable for summer. Bright colors, hot and sour.
ingredients: baked potatoes-1/2
Production method:
1. Dice potatoes, fully stir with pepper, pour olive oil, and heat in a pan at 2℃ for 2 ~ 25 minutes until golden; Turn it over again.
2. Peel the asparagus gently, boil it in boiling water for 2 minutes, and then immerse it in cold water to cool.
3. Wash the vegetables and put them on a plate, add yellow bell pepper strips and feta crumbs, decorate with cherry tomatoes, and finally sprinkle with almond slices.
4. Mash garlic with salt. Mix egg yolk and mustard, and pour in olive oil while stirring. Add sour paste, lemon juice and dried tomatoes. Serve or pour directly on the salad.
Tips: Dried tomatoes can generally be found on the special shelves of imported food in supermarkets.
21:PM snack-almond strawberry milkshake
Features: fresh and cool fruity drink. Yogurt and fruit can also be added.
raw materials (4 persons): 2 cups of milk or soy milk, 12-16 strawberries, 2 bananas, 2-3 teaspoons of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, and 4 teaspoons of almond blocks
preparation method:
put milk, strawberries, bananas, honey, almond blocks and almond extract into a blender and stir until they are liquid. Then pour into 4 long glasses, and finally decorate with strawberries and almond pieces.
Tips: almond can be cut into small pieces. Almond extract can be bought at the supermarket import counter.