Slow Cooker Roasted Wasabi Almonds Recipe


Sometimes you feel like a nut...

sometimes you don't want an ordinary one...

Hmm. It doesn't really have the same ring now, does it?

oh well. I was at a farmer's market over the summer and got handed a cellophane bag full of roasted almonds sprinkled with wasabi powder.

It I was a normal person, I would have eaten the nuts, enjoyed them, and moved on. Instead, I immediately thought:  oooh. I need to make these in the crockpot.

so I did!

The Ingredients.
serves 10
  

1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari wheat free are gluten free)
1 pound raw almonds
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons wasabi powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt

The Directions.

Use a 2-quart slow cooker (you can use a big one, but stay close by and stir often to ward off possible burning). In a bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and soy sauce until it's foamy. Toss the almonds in this mixture until they are wet. Set aside.
In a zippered plastic bag, combine the wasabi powder, kosher salt, and cornstarch. Drain any additional liquid from the almonds, and then dump the wet almonds into your zippered bag. Close well and shake until the almonds are nicely coated.

Pour these coated almonds into your slow cooker and cover. Cook on low for 2 to 4 hours, or until toasty (the almonds will brown a  bit and you'll definitely smell them. They will NOT be crunchy, but don't worry, they will be later!)

Spread out a layer of foil or parchment paper onto the countertop and dump out the nuts. Let the almonds dry completely before munching. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

The Verdict.

I love how nuts roast so beautifully in the cooker---don't worry if some are more brown than others---that's what makes them homemade! The flavor of the wasabi is subtle, and not spicy at all. The kids gobbled up their portions and I needed to take them away before they ate the ones I wanted to give away. If you'd prefer a stronger (spicier) flavor, you can sprinkle additional wasabi on top of your roasted nuts.

I was certain wasabi powder was going to cost a million dollars (or something close to it) but I was happily surprised to find it for $3.99 in the Asian cooking aisle of our normal grocery store. If you have trouble finding it, try a specialty market or order it off the internet (I love shopping in my jammies!).


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Posted by: Stephanie O'Dea | A Year of Slow Cooking at October 09, 2010

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What they say about this article

  1. Anonymous10/09/2010

    I am ....just so happy.....that you are posting every day for this month!!!
    Insert <>.
    And for the nuts...excellent idea! I love making spiced nuts for parties but the stirring and watching can be dangerous....This recipe looks like it needs less attention than the granola (also on my agenda for the weekend).
    thanks for another great idea Stephanie!

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  2. I really love cinnamon-sugar roasted nuts; I get them every year at the Renaissance Faire. I don't suppose you have/can make a recipe for those?

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  3. I agree with Wendy I'm so glad to see such frequent posts! It inspired me to write a second article for my blog! Really makes me wish I was a stay at home mom so I could give it more attention (as well as my kids for that matter!)

    Your little vignettes of family life are so funny and familiar I often read them aloud to my husband.

    And you have become my go-to web site for crock pot recipes. Nobody else comes close (especially since these are the only recipes that actually tell you whether it tastes good!)

    Sorry for the rambling... your blog rocks! Can I please plug mine?
    -Dom

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  4. Anonymous10/09/2010

    haha, that was supposed to say insert SNOOPY DANCE...

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  5. Hi Stephanie, do you think cinnamon candied almonds would work in the crockpot. I make mine in a frying pan on the stove but it would be so much more fun in the crockpot! PS Bought everything thismorning to make your witches brew! Walmart isn't half bad at 7am.

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  6. Yes! you can totally make cinnamon almonds. I thought the post was up already, but I guess not. I'm not home, but will find the photos and post it for you.
    xox

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  7. I agree. Cinnamon-sugar sounds amazing!

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  8. If you have a larger crock-pot, could you double or triple the recipe? Would they all still brown? I would love to give these out as gifts for Christmas.

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  9. I too find myself visiting everyday.

    I have a question too. I love almonds, but walnuts are my fav. Can this work for walnuts too, oh and I wonder about pecans. Since I am in Oklahoma and we are loaded with those.

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  10. Great idea! I am saving this post to make some for Christmas presents. I already have some cute little jars to put them in.

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  11. This is going to be tough! Never tried wasabi in my recipes! Thanks for this idea.

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  12. Genius! I would have never thought to roast almonds in a slow cooker.

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  13. Yum! Am soaking my almonds overnight like in 'nourishing traditions' to make them more nuturitios and then going to follow your recipe!

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  14. My husband is going to LOVE these! Read the recipe on Saturday...bought the wasabi powder today at WalMart ($2.74 at my store)...making them tomorrow. Can't wait!

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  15. Oh, I love the blue diamond version of these, and have had trouble finding them in large quantities, I'm so excited to try these!

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  16. I've just come across horseradish powder... wonder if that would just be too weird. Can't wait to try this recipe out!

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  17. Is their a reason the nuts need to be refrigerated after they are done? I've never heard of putting nuts in the fridge.

    Thanks for the great recipe. I'm trying the cinnamon sugar ones this weekend.

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  18. Hi Brenda, it's just for an added level of food safety. I'd hate for them to sit out too long and get rancid.

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  19. Anonymous10/31/2010

    Most of what was on the almonds ended up on the sides of the crock pot! Oh well, I will try again another time. Thanks for posting this!

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  20. I'm trying a triple batch today! *crossing fingers* They are for Christmas presents!

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