From $3.59
There is a particular kind of cook who understands that the last thing added to a dish before it reaches the table can be just as important as everything that happened before it, and blanched slivered almonds are one of the most quietly elegant and broadly useful finishing ingredients available to that cook. Skinless, pale, and cut into fine, elegant slivers that toast evenly, scatter beautifully, and add a delicate crunch without the bulk of a whole nut, they bring texture, visual refinement, and a mild, clean nuttiness to an extraordinary range of sweet and savoury preparations with a versatility that few other nuts or seeds can match. They are as comfortable scattered across a Moroccan tagine as they are pressed into the surface of a French tart, folded through a pilaf, or toasted and tumbled over a bowl of Greek yoghurt with honey, and that effortless adaptability is precisely what makes them worth keeping permanently stocked. Grandma always believed that a beautiful finish to a dish was an act of generosity toward the person eating it, and a handful of perfectly toasted slivered almonds applied with intention delivers exactly that.
Flavour Profile: Blanched slivered almonds have a mild, clean, and delicately sweet nuttiness with a subtle creaminess and a gentle richness that is refined enough to work in the most delicate preparations without overwhelming them. In their raw, untoasted form the flavour is soft and almost neutral, making them an unobtrusive textural addition to preparations where their crunch rather than their flavour is the primary contribution. Toasted, they develop a warm, buttery, and beautifully complex nuttiness with a golden colour and a satisfying crunch that is noticeably more interesting and more aromatic than the raw version, and the transformation from pale to golden in a hot pan takes only two to three minutes and is one of the most worthwhile small steps in the home cook’s repertoire.
How to Use It: Blanched slivered almonds are ready to use directly from the pack in applications where their pale colour and mild raw flavour suits the preparation, but toasting them first is almost always the better choice for applications where flavour and crunch are both important. To toast them, spread in a single layer in a dry pan over medium heat and stir or toss continuously for two to three minutes until golden and fragrant, watching carefully as they can move from perfectly golden to over-toasted very quickly given their fine, thin cut. Remove from the heat immediately and transfer to a cool surface, seasoning lightly with sea salt if using in a savoury application. They can also be toasted in the oven at 170 degrees Celsius on a lined tray for five to seven minutes, shaking the tray halfway through, which produces a more even result when toasting large quantities. In baking, press them onto the surface of cakes, tarts, and pastries before baking where they will toast during cooking and adhere to the surface, or fold them through batters and doughs where they add textural contrast throughout the finished crumb. Store toasted slivered almonds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, though they rarely last that long once within reach.
Recipes Where Blanched Slivered Almonds Shine: A classic French financier or frangipane tart scattered with blanched slivered almonds pressed gently into the surface before baking produces a beautifully golden, nutty finish that is as visually striking as it is delicious, and the slivered form toasts more evenly and more elegantly than whole or flaked almonds in this application. A Moroccan-style chicken or lamb tagine finished with toasted slivered almonds, fresh coriander, and a drizzle of good honey scattered across the top just before serving is one of those preparations where the finishing elements do as much for the dish as the long, slow cooking that preceded them. A simple rice pilaf or fragrant Middle Eastern-style spiced rice dish scattered with toasted slivered almonds, dried currants or barberries, and fresh herbs is transformed from a plain side dish into something visually impressive and texturally satisfying that consistently draws more attention at the table than its simplicity deserves. Greek-style yoghurt with toasted slivered almonds, a generous drizzle of good honey, and a pinch of cinnamon is one of those five-minute preparations that manages to feel simultaneously nourishing, indulgent, and entirely considered with almost no effort at all. A homemade gluten free almond and citrus cake scattered generously with blanched slivered almonds pressed into the surface before baking produces a beautifully textured, visually refined result with a satisfying crunch in every slice that plain gluten free cakes rarely achieve without this kind of finishing detail.
Good to Know: Blanched slivered almonds contain tree nuts and are not suitable for anyone managing a tree nut or almond allergy. This is the most important allergen consideration for this product and should be communicated clearly to anyone you are cooking for or baking for before serving. Blanched slivered almonds are naturally gluten free, dairy free, and vegan in their pure form, making them suitable for a wide range of dietary requirements provided tree nut allergies are not a concern. They are a natural source of vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fats, magnesium, and plant-based protein, making them a nutritionally worthwhile addition to a gluten free diet. Due to their relatively high fat content they are susceptible to going rancid in warm and humid conditions, and refrigerating after opening is recommended in Brisbane’s climate to preserve their mild, clean flavour and extend their shelf life between uses. As always, if you are managing a severe allergy or coeliac disease, please check the specific product label for facility and cross-contamination information before purchase.
Contains: TREE NUTS (ALMONDS).
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration after opening is recommended in warm climates. Large amounts may need to be ordered in. Allow 14 business days for it to arrive at GPO.
Every great meal begins with someone who cared enough to use the good stuff. That someone is you.
