Recipe Sifter

White gazpacho is the Spanish ajo blanco-style cold soup with almonds, cucumber, green pepper, and bread. No tomatoes, just creamy almond-cucumber refreshment for hot summer days.

Glazed almond cookies rolled in sliced almonds, baked until golden, then drizzled or dipped in amaretto chocolate ganache. A festive nut cookie for cookie tins and holiday trays.

Chilled Caribbean papaya-orange soup blends ripe papaya, fresh OJ, and a hint of cumin into a silky, refreshing starter. Topped with crunchy almonds and coconut for a tropical twist.

Eggnog gelatin mold sets chilled eggnog with ground almonds, then unmolds onto a platter with mandarin oranges and whipped topping. A nostalgic holiday dessert.

Honey almond heart cookies made with whole wheat and all-purpose flour, rolled thin and cut into heart shapes. Fill with a thumbprint of jam for a sweet, naturally sweetened Valentine's treat.

A flourless-style chocolate cake with ground almonds, rum-soaked currants, and pine nuts on top. Bittersweet chocolate and whipped egg whites create an intensely fudgy, gluten-light torte.

Orange custard cookies are mini tartlets with buttery shortbread shells filled with an almond-orange flower water custard, baked in muffin tins. Two dozen elegant bite-sized desserts with a Mediterranean fragrance.

Classic chicken salad with crunchy salted almonds, celery, and green pepper in a light mayo dressing. A make-ahead lunch for sandwiches, crackers, or a bed of lettuce.

Creme de menthe truffle cups: bite-size chocolate candy shells piped full of minty chocolate ganache with ground almonds. A boozy, bakery-style Christmas confection made in a double boiler.

Black currant vodka cheesecake on a toasted almond and graham crust, baked low in a water bath for a silky, crack-free top. Crowned with fresh strawberries and a glossy strawberry-Kurant glaze.

Plum-almond tart on puff pastry with toasted almonds, fresh sliced plums, lemon zest, and a built-up pastry border. Uses store-bought puff pastry for an elegant dessert in 40 minutes.

Italian pan-fried trout in a white wine and lemon sauce with pearl onions, topped with butter-toasted almonds. A classic trota recipe ready in 30 minutes. Simple, elegant, unforgettable.

Spanish-style toasted almonds sauteed in olive oil and seasoned with cumin and salt. A simple three-ingredient snack or tapas appetizer ready in minutes.

Golden Cake, a delicate European cheesecake with a buttery almond pastry base and an airy curd cheese, lemon and cream filling, served with fresh strawberry or raspberry puree. Old-world elegance on a plate.

Almond crescent cookies with toasted ground almonds and a tender shortbread base, finished with a chocolate drizzle or powdered sugar dusting. A Christmas cookie tin classic that holds for a week or more.

This is a great topping for yogurt or low fat cottage cheese.