thursday Welcome to  “Thursday Tidbits”  I thought it would be nice to share some fun things each week.  They are going to be random items that I have come across during the week.  Some Cooking tips, some useful gadgets, other blog sites. Who knows – just going to see where it leads. I hope you enjoy “Thursday Tidbits” and maybe learn something you didn’t know or find a new favorite blog site, besides Tidbits of Joy.   Hang in there Friday and the weekend are just around the corner.

Thursday Tidbits

I made a recipe this week, Paleo Granola, which I am still tweaking so I will share it later, that called for Almond Meal.  Now what in the heck is that?  I did find a bag of almond meal which sometimes is also called almond flour and made the recipe. This got me to thinking about almonds. Almonds are available in a variety of forms: Natural almonds, Slivered almonds, Blanched almonds,  and Sliced Almonds.   And then there is Almond Meal. Sounds like Forest Gump with fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, BB-Que shrimp, shrimp creole and on and on.   

Natural Almonds are whole nuts with their brown skin intact.

Whole Almonds with brown skins intact

Whole Almonds with brown skins intact

Slivered Almonds, which are usually blanched, are small narrow sticks.

Usually Blanched small narrow sticks

Usually Blanched small narrow sticks

Blanched Almonds are whole nuts with their skin removed.

Whole almonds with their skins removed

Whole almonds with their skins removed

Sliced Almonds, available both blanched and natural, are thin oval chips.

Can be blanched or natural (with a ring of brown skin still attached), are thin oval chips.

Can be blanched or natural (with a ring of brown skin still attached), are thin oval chips.

Almond Meal also called almond flour is finely ground almonds.  You can make your own almond flour by grinding whole natural or whole blanched almonds on the fine blade of a food grinder or processor .  Easier just to buy it.  Almond Meal/Flour is gluten free.

 

  Check out this recipe at Recipe Girl,one of my favorite Blogs,  using sliced almonds.  Chocolate Almond Toffee  Recipe Girl’s son also has a Food Blog at Recipe Boy.com  Inspiring to see kids learning and loving to cook.  Maybe have your kids check it out.   Please leave comments on “Thursday Tidbits”.  I love your feedback.   Remember “Make It Your Own”  no matter what you cook.     Joy Always, Cissy