cocoa roasted almonds

Yesterday when I was eating lunch with my lunch buddies (aka teaching lady friends), one of them busted out a new snack: Cocoa Roasted Almonds.

I popped a few, only to look at the ingredient list to see there was modified potato starch in them.

Why?

Why?

WHYYYY?

You see my frustration. I’m not screaming “why” because potato starch is on my S-List. My frustration is in the “modified” part. Why are modified ingredients even needed?

So, in a fit of rage, I spit them out, stomped on them, and told my colleague never to offer me food again.

And if you actually believe me right now, you don’t even know me.

So, yesterday when I got home, I set out to make some of my own cocoa roasted almonds.

Let’s all say this together now: “Roasting nuts is so easy a 3 year old could do it” (with parental supervision of course).

Cocoa Roasted Almonds

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 tbsp. maple syrup
• 2-3 tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp. GF flour (or any all purpose flour could do)

1. Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil & grease your sheet using spray or oil.
2. Place almonds in a large bowl and coat with the maple syrup. Use a spoon to ensure all almonds are evenly coated.
3. Add your cocoa powder & GF flour and mix until all almonds are coated.
4. Roast in your oven for 25 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes
5. Let cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Ball jars just make everything look prettier, no?

I had dreams of whipping out my food processor & grinding these babies to a pulp. However, I have 3 open jars of nut butter in my fridge right now, and that didn’t seem acceptable (not to me – probably the Husband).

Instead, I enjoyed some on my morning bowl of oats. My kitchen is lacking so much fruit it is a crime right now – must go to get apples & bananas stat.

As promised, I want to announce the winner of the Nuts Online Giveaway! The winner is Jess:

Congratulations Jess! Email me your contact information so I can get it off to the folks at Nuts Online so they can send you your prize!

Speaking of giveaways, I got a fantastic prize in the mail today from none other than HEAB: a jar of Nutmeric! Heather is such a fantastic lady, and if you don’t know her, you should. She amazes me every day – the little HEABlet is due in less than 2 weeks, and the woman is still doing 90 minute yoga classes!

I will tell you the honest truth and let you know that I had to look up what Turmeric was – apparently it is a spice which aids in anti-inflammatory, a detoxifier, and has been long used by the Chinese to help with depression. Read the list of other benefits here.

You must know that whenever I get a food package in the mail I automatically rip open the package to have a little taste test. The verdict? Amazing. No – seriously. It’s more of a savory spread and is peppery – I cannot wait to use it in a stir-fry or something! Thanks Heather for hosting a great giveaway!!

I’m off to go dip my cocoa roasted almonds into my Nutmeric – or something equally as exciting. Until next time!

Question: What is your favorite way to eat almonds?

Tagged as: food package, giveaway winner, nutmeric, oats, turmeric