Almond flour, obtained from the grinding of dried almonds, is rich in proteins, sugars and vitamin E and is a natural antidepressant. Let's find out better.
> 2. Properties and use of almond flour
How almond flour is made
Almond flour it is obtained by grinding dried almonds peeled and separated from the skin. The almond is the seed of Prunus communis, a tree of the Rosaceae family.
The almond, in fact, is not, as one might think, the fruit of the plant. Only sweet almonds are edible, because the bitter variety of almonds contains poisonous compounds.
Properties and use of almond flour
This flour is particularly rich in protein, sugars, vitamin E, B vitamins and mineral salts (football, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc).
It also contains theemulsina, a substance that improves the digestion of carbohydrates. Dried almonds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and contain little water. Almonds, as well as flour, are a very energetic food. Finally land almonds have antiseptic, laxative properties and are a mild natural antidepressante.
Almonds are also used to make a important oil in natural cosmetics thanks to its emollient and soothing properties.
You can learn more about the properties, use and benefits of almonds
Almond flour products
Almond flour it is used as it is for the preparation of baked goods, above all desserts, or in combination with sugar for the preparation of the well-known almond and marzipan paste, rich ingredients of granita or artisanal ice cream, as well as malleable pastes for the decoration of cakes or biscuits.
Unlike marzipan, almond paste is made without egg whites. Many almond paste-based products are packaged in Sicily, such as the famous one Martorana fruit.
How to prepare toasted almonds and caramelized almonds
A recipe up your sleeve
The marzipan
Ingredients:
- 250 grams of shelled almonds,
- 250 grams of vanilla powdered sugar,
- 2 egg whites,
- 2 drops of almond essence,
- the desired food coloring.
Preparation: peel the almonds leaving them to soak for a few minutes in boiling water, drain them, let them cool and remove the outer skin. Put the peeled almonds in the refrigerator for about an hour, then transfer them to the mixer with a spoonful of powdered sugar and chop finely, until you have a thin flour. Arrange the ground almonds in a bowl, add the remaining icing sugar, a few drops of almond essence and the egg whites and mix with a wooden spoon.
As soon as the mixture hardens, mix it with your hands for a few minutes, transfer it to a pastry board sprinkled with plenty of icing sugar and knead until it becomes an elastic and smooth dough. To give the desired color variety, apply a drop of food coloring to each one and mix well with your hands. Marzipan left in the air tends to dry out, it is important to always wrap it in kitchen film and store it in the refrigerator.
Also try 3 Christmas recipes with almond paste
