How To Skin Almonds

Most, if not all, of the recipes that call for almonds on here will require blanched almonds, meaning almonds with the skins removed. Now you could buy your almonds already blanched from the supermarket and pay the extra cost for doing so... Or you could save yourself a little cash and skin them yourself. So here's how to do it.

**I will post pictures when I take some during my next blanching expedition.**

Equipment:

- Pot of water
- Paper towels
- Colander or strainer

Ingredients:

- Raw unsalted almonds, skin on

Method:

1. Bring your pot of water to a boil.

2. Once boiling, place your almonds into the boiling water and set a timer for 60 seconds.

3. As soon as your 60 second timer goes off, drain your almonds in your strainer and immediately rinse under cold water. We don't want them to overcook and soften.

4. Once they are cool to the touch, it is time to begin skinning the almonds.

5. You will see the skins are a little shriveled. This is what we want. Take an almond between your index finger and thumb. Squeeze the almond to allow the skin to move and slip off the almond.

**Be careful not to squeeze too hard and those almonds will become airborne, shooting across the kitchen. I tend to hold my other hand where the almond is going to shoot and stop it there.

6. As you remove the skins, place the blanched almonds onto paper towel to dry.

Once they are dry, the almonds are blanched and ready to use.