Nagpur: Almonds – known as the king of all nuts are not only versatile, crunchy and delicious but also offer natural goodness in every bite. They contain many essential nutrients, including protein and healthy fats, making them a nutrient-rich snack that can help keep you going throughout the day. This was demonstrated during an interactive and fun afternoon hosted by Almond Board of California at Radisson Blue in Nagpur, today.
While demonstrating quick snack recipes made with almonds, popular Chef Vikas Pal spoke about the versatility of almonds and the ease with which they can be flavoured. He demonstrated the adaptability of these nuts of good health, in an interactive session and also shared simple tips on ways to incorporate almonds in one’s daily diet. Also present at the event, eminent nutritionist Jayashree Pendharkar shed light on the multiple health and nutritional benefits of consuming almonds every day.
Chef Vikas, prepared a few simple yet delicious almond snack recipes in a matter of minutes and said, “Eating healthy does not mean you only stick to three meals a day. Smart snacking is the key! Consuming almonds instead of unwholesome snacks can make a healthy difference to our lives. Try flavouring almonds at home with your favourite spices to give your family as a snack. You can also pair them with summer foods such as mangoes or melons to make a healthy and tasty snack”. He added, “Keep almonds always handy in your kitchens so you can keep experimenting with flavouring and pairing. This way you will never forget your perfect daily portion.”
Nutritionist Jayashree Pendharkar said, “Regular exercise and simple modifications in the daily diet can help a great deal in leading a healthier life. However, while some people plan for healthy meals, they tend to overlook snack time. Hence, switching to smarter snacking options, particularly those that enhance satiety, can be very helpful. Clinical research shows that a handful of almonds have satiating properties that promote feelings of fullness, which may keep hunger at bay between meals. This makes them a healthy and weight-wise snack. I encourage my clients to consume almonds regularly, throughout the year, irrespective of the season. Munching on a handful of almonds (30 grams/ 23 almonds), keeps you energised through the day”.
Chatpata Almonds
Serves: 04
Preparation Time: 18-20 mins
Cooking Time: 7-8 mins
Ingredients Quantity
Almonds – 140 gms
Olive Oil – 05 ml
Dry mango powder – 05 gms
Kasuri Methi powder – 02 gms
Dry mint powder – 02 gms
Chili flakes – 01 gms
Roasted jeera powder – 03 gms
Salt – 02 gms
Method:
- Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the almonds till deep brown
- Mix all the dry spices in a large bowl
- Once almonds are brown, toss the almonds with the spice mix in the bowl
- Cool and consume
Nutritional Information (for 4 servings):
| Calories | 962Cal | Protein | 29gm |
| Total fat | 70.8g | Saturated | 6g |
| Monounsaturated | 47g | Polyunsaturated | 17.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g | Fiber | 16.2gm |
| Cholesterol | – | Sodium | 460mg |
| Calcium | 322mg | Magnesium | 522mg |
| Potassium | 987mg | Vitamin E | 38.6mg |
Chettinad Spiced almonds
Serves: 04
Preparation Time: 15-18 mins
Cooking Time: 10-12 mins
Ingredients Quantity
Almonds – 110 gms
Blanched and peeled almonds – 30 gms
Chana dal – 20 gms
Egg white – 01 nos
Salt – 03 gms
Chettinad Spice – 10 gms
Crushed Black pepper – 03 gms
Roasted Curry leaves – 02 gms
For the Chettinad Masala: (150 Gms)
Cinnamon – 10 gms
Cloves – 8 gms
Curry leaves – 20 gms
Star anise – 05 gms
Fennel Seeds – 10 gms
Black pepper – 20 gms
Red Chilli whole – 15 gms
Cardamom green – 10 gms
Patthar ke phool – 10 gms
Cumin – 20 gms
Coriander – 40 gms
Roast all the spices gently and make a fine powder
Method:
- Dry Roast the almonds with the skin and set aside.
- Make a fine paste (not too thick and not too thin) of the blanched and peeled almonds
- Dry roast the Chana dal and make a coarse powder
- Mix the almond paste with the chettinad masala, egg white, coarsely ground Chana dal, salt, crushed black pepper and mix well.
- Coat the dry roast whole almonds with this paste and flatten them on a baking tray.
- Bake the almonds in a preheated oven at 160 degrees for 15-18 minutes
- Remove from the oven and cool to serve.
Nutritional Information (for 4 servings):
| Calories | 1377Cal | Protein | 51.5g |
| Total fat | 97g | Saturated | 5.1g |
| Monounsaturated | 43g | Polyunsaturated | 16.9g |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | Fiber | 22.6g |
| Cholesterol | Sodium | 1445mg | |
| Calcium | 677mg | Magnesium | 698mg |
| Potassium | 1631mg | Vitamin E | 36.8mg |
Pepper Garlic Almonds
Serves 04
Preparation Time: 15-18 mins
Cooking Time: 10-12 mins
Ingredients Quantity
Almonds – 110gms
Blanched and peeled almonds – 30 gms
Egg white – 01 nos
Salt – 03 gms
Garlic peeled – 10 gms
Crushed Black pepper – 03 gms
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 05 gms
Method:
- Make a fine paste (not too thick and not too thin) of the blanched and peeled almonds
- Roast the garlic with olive oil, till brown and blend into a paste
- Mix the almond paste, garlic paste, egg white, salt and pepper
- Roll the almonds evenly in the above mixture
- Roast the rolled almonds in a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 7-8 minutes
- Cool and consume
Nutritional Information (for 4 servings):
| Calories | 997Cal | Protein | 32.4g |
| Total fat | 90g | Saturated | 5.8g |
| Monounsaturated | 46.7g | Polyunsaturated | 17.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.5g | Fiber | 16.8g |
| Cholesterol | Sodium | 1395mg | |
| Calcium | 337mg | Magnesium | 548mg |
| Potassium | 1131mg | Vitamin E | 36.9mg |
About the Almond Board of California:
Almonds from California are a natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds through its research-based approach to all aspects of marketing, farming and production on behalf of the more than 6,800 almond growers and processors in California, many of which are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit www.almonds.in.
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