About the Blog - Fragments of a Life

This blog will contain things I have written; some of my best photos; and a selection of my favourite recipes. I am truly fortunate to have traveled to and worked in fascinating places, met remarkable people, and seen many of the wonders of planet earth. Friends have urged me to write about these experiences and to publish my photographs. Maybe, one day, these will come together into a book. For now, they will be presented as fragments of a life since I am not yet prepared to "retire" and write. As well, for many years, I have been promising to publish my "cookbook". As I cannot get my act together to edit that all at once, I will start publishing those recipes one by one.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Massoumeh's Almonds with Salt and Lemon Juice

Back in Kabul this evening (11 April, 2013), I had dinner with housemates at Guest House Charlie.  Massoumeh, my Iranian-American colleague garnished the salad with these almonds.

Almonds (in their skins, not peeled), enough to cover the bottom of a heavy skillet.
Sea salt
Lemon juice.
Hot red pepper (optional)

  • Heat a heavy skillet on the top of the stove.
  • Add the almonds, covering the bottom of the pan.
  • Heat to roast the almonds, shaking the pan to make sure they roast evenly and do not burn. This can take about 5 minutes. You will hear popping sounds, but keep roasting and shaking. You want the almonds nicely cooked but not burned.
  • Add the salt to the frying pan and shake. (How much depends on your taste.)
  • Squeeze over the juice of  half a lemon (or more, depending on the size of the lemon and your taste).
  • Continue to cook and share the pan until the moisture evaporates.
  • If you like things really sharp, shake some chili pepper over the nuts.
  • Serve in a bowl next to the salad, so people can add.

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