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CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

 I've been very busy since my last post updating some older recipe that desperately needed to be revisited, not only for the pictures but to update and streamline the ingredients and instructions. In case you're interested, take a look and see if any inspire you. First up was the Smoky Chipotle Maple T.L.T., an absolutely delicious sandwich. Then I was onto the Raw Vegetable Pasta...you'll never miss regular pasta again with this one. Next, the Refried Bean & Avocado Lavash Wrap which was just a whim recipe at the time that hit the spot. Up next, I revamped the Pasta and Bean Soup with Kale which is out of this world. Lastly, the Spicy Carrot & Hummus Sandwich...delicious in every way. Today not only are you getting one inspirational recipe to try but 6! Take a look and hopefully you'll be inspired to add more of these recipes to your meal plans for the upcoming months!

I've been doing a lot of snack and dessert type recipes lately and have been loving every minute of it. Inspired by my Chocolate Chai Popcorn, I decided to try roasted almonds with this flavorful mix and it worked great. The flavor of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove with some black pepper spice all lightly wrapped with a hint of cocoa. It's a fun and delicious flavor! Almonds are an alkalizing nut and eating just 9 almonds a day will provide you with all the vitamin E you need for the day. They're also a great source of magnesium, potassium, copper and fiber. These flavored almonds make for quite an addicting but healthy little snack that I'm happy to share with you today. I love that they travel well too. Bag or bottle some up in a mason jar and take them with you for the day. They even make for great gift ideas for special holidays or just because. Share the goodness, share the love!

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

Gather your ingredients...

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS 

Add everything together and mix well...

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

Spread in single layer on baking sheet and bake, stirring once...

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

Let cool and harden. Share the goodness!

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

CHOCOLATE CHAI ROASTED ALMONDS

Ingredients
  • 3 cups raw almonds
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, optional
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 heaping teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • a few pinches of mineral salt

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large mixing bowl, add almonds, maple syrup, vanilla and spices, mix well to coat. On a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly oiled, spread almonds, syrup and all, in a single layer, it's ok if they're touching each other. Bake on center rake for 20 - 22 minutes, shuffling the almonds around once after 10 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with mineral salt and let cool to harden. They may clump together a bit while cooling but will easily come apart.

Store in air tight container for up to a month.

Enjoy often!