How best to pan cook almonss?
January 28, 2012 7:50 PM   Subscribe

I'm pan cooking Whole Foods bulk raw almonds, amd I'm trying to get them crunchy rather than chewy or mealy. I'm sauteeing them over med-high heat in a 10" skillet with a little olive oil and salt. Should I toast them low and long or hot and quick?
posted by the sobsister to Food & Drink (12 answers total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
This kitchen task shouts "Use the oven" to me. I take it there's no oven?
posted by Rat Spatula at 7:56 PM on January 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Also, the smoke point of olive oil is probably too low for nut toasting temperatures.
posted by Rat Spatula at 7:58 PM on January 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Just saw this on an old episode the other day and I'm planning on trying it: Alton Brown's Ginger Almonds. Uses both skillet and oven.
posted by cyniczny at 8:00 PM on January 28, 2012


I do mine at 400 for 12-14 minutes in my toaster oven. You can use a regular oven just fine.
posted by Slinga at 8:01 PM on January 28, 2012


I would go with the oven as well - toss the almond in the olive oil (and rosemary, if you like - it's really good) and roast them, stirring every so often.

If you have to go with the skillet, you'll probably need to use plenty of olive oil and keep them moving to avoid burning. Good luck if you're stuck with an iffy stove, like my electric coil stove.
posted by WasabiFlux at 8:02 PM on January 28, 2012


Response by poster: I have an oven. I was hoping that the skillet would be doable as well. Thanks for the thoughts. I'll try roasting them next.
posted by the sobsister at 8:27 PM on January 28, 2012


Best answer: i put a single layer on a cookie sheet and put them in a preheated oven at 350 for 10 minutes. stir or shake at 5 minutes, after 10, pull them out and let them sit around and cool. done but not burnt.
posted by goutytophus at 9:01 PM on January 28, 2012


Half agree with goutytophus - preheated oven at 350 but only for 5 minutes, then let them sit and cool.
posted by X4ster at 9:34 PM on January 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


I toast them in a skillet, no salt or oil though. Medium heat, let the pan get hot before you put them in (I use a stainless steel skillet for this, don't know if I'd be comfortable heating nonstick without anything in it like that). Then toss them every now and again for a few minutes until they've got just a few char marks and are crispy-delicious when you bite in to one (take one out and let it cool for a few seconds to test, if they taste good hot they'll still taste good cold as a rule). If I find them mushy or mealy it's either humidity (not storing them well) or under-cooking them in my experience.
posted by Lady Li at 12:12 AM on January 29, 2012 [2 favorites]


Skip the oil. Save your olive oil for your salad!
posted by lulu68 at 6:54 AM on January 29, 2012


Almonds done in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil are excellent! One thing to keep in mind - like fresh baked cookies, they will be softer until they cool.
posted by Nothing at 7:45 AM on January 29, 2012


You can use the oven or the skillet. If skillet, do it no higher than medium - you want to get the inside roasted before the outside burns. No oil; oil just makes them greasy and increases likelihood of burning. Keep the nuts moving. Your nose will tell you when they are done.

Oven is less work.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:49 AM on January 29, 2012


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