5 Easiest Ever Almond Ideas for Holiday Party

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

Time to get serious about last minute holiday preparations; it’s the final countdown to Christmas! I still have some shopping and wrapping to do, cookie baking with the kids, and prepping for my contributions to the huge family feast on Christmas Eve — oh and the brunch I’m hosting on Christmas Day.

In between all this, we’re squeezing in a Star Wars movie marathon of past prequels and sequels – even though we’ve seen these classic flicks numerous times, it’ll be good to be fresh for the new Star Wars – The Force Awakens.

So, we’ll need snacks – lots and lots of snacks, and preferably healthy things to nosh and nibble on that won’t make a mess in my media room! Almonds are one of my go-to choices for healthy appetizers and snacks – they punch a nice little pack of protein and are great source of other nutrients, especially iron, vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber. Another great thing about almonds (Blue Diamond Almonds are my favorite) is just how easy they are to incorporate into entertaining. Today, I’m sharing five fun and easy ways to crunch and much on almonds this holiday season – and into the New Year, too!

Simply eat almonds straight out of the can (or fancy serving bowl). I’ve never seen a soul walk past delicious almonds and not stop to pick up a few! A one-ounce serving (about 23 almonds) pairs perfectly win a light cocktail or glass of sparkling water.
This idea is for the kids (of any age) – Almond Lover Gingerbread Men! To keep it easy, use store-bought cookies and simply melt a chocolate chip on one hand (or pipe a dot of frosting) and press down gently with an olive. Use a piping bag filled with frosting to decorate with a little edible bow!
This is one of my favorite snacks with almonds — Almond Chocolate Apricot Bites! Just layer up the three ingredients (melt the chocolate chip if you want to be fancy so that all the ingredients stick together) and, viola, a yummy 20-calorie treat in mere minutes.
Chocolate Almond Popcorn – could this be easier?! Air pop some kernels and then, while still warm, top with your favorite flavor of Blue Diamond Almonds and chocolate chips. Toss together so the chocolate slightly melts – it’s like being at the movie theater and dumping candy into your big tub, but healthier!
Almond Lover Cookies are a favorite with my boys and only take a few minutes to whip up a batch and 12 minutes to bake – if short on time, double up a batch the week before and keep in the freezer!

5 Easiest Ever @BlueDiamond Almond Ideas for Holiday Party #Ad

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What are your stress-free ways to enjoy almonds, aside from straight out of the can?! Oh, and have you seen the new Star Wars movie yet — just a thumbs up or down, no spoilers! Let me know in the comments below — XOXO, Jennifer

This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. However, all comments, ideas and enthusiasm are my own.

Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola #GameChangingFlavor

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Ditch the chips and grab some Game Changing Flavors this football season! Enter for a chance to win the Ultimate Football Party Prize Pack, get great savings and ideas for delicious snack hacks at GameChangingFlavors.com .We take football SERIOUSLY here in Texas. Friday nights are spent under the lights cheering on the hometown boys and socializing with friends. All day Saturday is set aside for tailgating and stomping boots in the fan stands of our hometown college team (or Pop Warner) and Sunday and Monday we gather ‘round the big screen to rally behind our favorite professional teams.

So, during the season, it’s not uncommon to have four straight days of football. Oh, and the holiday bowl games – those may be the best because usually all the family and friends are around to celebrate! You may not believe this, but it’s TRUE – every year my family pushes our Thanksgiving feast from Thursday to Friday just so some of us can attend a very important collegiate game. Like I said, football is serious business in these parts.

Second to the serious excitement of the gridiron action is the snack table lineup. Actually, I know some (okay, maybe me) would say that good football grub is the most important part of the day – in fact, I go nuts for football food! Nuts, especially almonds, are always part of my starting snack lineup and they pair with everything from cold-cut sandwiches, pizza, wings and healthier things – including the over-the-top Healthy Snack Stadium I crafted for a big bowl game last year!

This football season, I’m serving up Salty-Sweet Smokehouse Almond Bacon Granola – a real winner based on how many times I have to refill the bowl even before half-time! People are like “bacon granola?!” and I’m like “heck, yeah!” – it’s spicy, sweet, smoky, salty, what more could you want? Everyone knows that bacon makes everything better, but so do almonds! Almonds are little powerhouses of nutrition – a handful (about an ounce or 23 nuts) has 163 calories, 6 grams of protein and 14 grams of heart-heathy fat along with all sorts of essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. I especially like almonds for a snack because they are hunger-squashing and keep me satisfied until my next meal!

A bowl full of this Salty-Sweet Smokehouse Almond Bacon Granola is definitely going to satisfy the snack cravings of the biggest armchair linebacker or peppiest cheerleader at your party. The bacon definitely pushes this easy granola recipe into the Snacking Hall of Fame (okay, I made that up), but it is also balanced with healthy ingredients like whole grain oats, dried pears (or apples), quinoa, flax seeds, real maple syrup and more.

THIS –> Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola #GameChangingFlavors @BlueDiamond

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What’s the craziest bacon recipe you’ve made or tried? What is your go-to game day snack? Please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer

Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

35 mins

Take game day flavor to the next level with with this bacon and almond granola that is spicy, sweet, salty, smoky -- and so amazingly delicious.

Cuisine: Southwestern

Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients

1 6 ounce can Blue Diamonds Smokehouse Flavor (divided)
6 slices thick hardwood smoked bacon
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper depending on "spiciness" desired
1/2 cup real maple syrup
2 cups oats
2 tablespoons uncooked quinoa
2 tablespoons flax seeds
2/3 cup diced dried pears or apples

Instructions

In small food processor or with knife, chop 3 ounces of almonds (1/2 Blue Diamond can); leave other half of can whole. Set both aside.
In large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until moderately crispy (don’t over-cook). Remove bacon to drain on paper towels and coarsely chop up. Don’t dispose of bacon fat.
Keep about ½ cup of bacon fat in skillet along with all the delicious crispy bits left behind. Add cayenne pepper and stir into bacon fat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add maple syrup to this mixture, stirring constantly and allowing to bubble up for about one minute. Remove from heat. In medium bowl, toss together oats, quinoa, flax seed, chopped bacon, dried pears, chopped almonds and whole almonds. Stir oat mixture into bacon fat - maple syrup mixture until evenly coated.
Preheat oven to 325 F degrees. Spread granola mixture out onto baking sheet and lightly press down with back of spoon to compact a bit.
Bake at 325 F for about 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes and them break into chunks

DIY Popcorn Shakin’ Cups – Mess Free Mix-ins – Pop Secret Popcorn

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

The end of summer is especially bittersweet this year, not just because our leisure time is coming to an end (well, the kiddos’ respite anyway), but my oldest is heading off to college. Yup, that’s right – this mama bear is letting go of a cub and even with my stoic sensibilities, I’m getting a little choked up just typing out the words. With the Big Boy literally leaving the den in 10 days, our family movie nights seem even more special this summer.

Movie night is a great excuse to hang out together (an increasing rarity in the teenage years), have some laughs, engage in some invaluable pre and post movie discussions – and, naturally, share some yummy Pop Secret popcorn and sensible snacks together!

Now, over these last 18 years of watching movies with my kids, I’ve learned a several things. First, my lone female vote in a house with four male people means I don’t have a say in what we watch – we’ve made the natural boy progression from non-princess Disney productions to action and shoot-em-up flicks. Not a lot of romantic comedies and historical fiction in the DVR queue – of all the guy movies we watch, I like the superhero stuff best – that’s why I’m pretty pumped to have just watched the 2005 version of “Fantastic Four” in preparations for the reboot coming to theaters. By the way, if you Buy any 3 Pop-Secret items between 7/31 – 8/31 and get a Free ticket to the Fantastic Four movie (up to $5) while supplies last

The second important thing I’ve learned is that no matter the age, boys are just messy – and this includes my husband to a degree. Sharing one big bowl of popcorn means crushed kernels left all over the floor and greasy finger being wiped off on the couch. Hello, napkin? And, of course there will always be a bit of sibling squabbling over who gets to hold the bowl, who’s hogging all the food and exactly what toppings are put on the popcorn. To resolve these irritating movie-time issues, I came up with this a great popcorn-eating hack that will rock your socks off – Popcorn Shakin’ Cups!

These Popcorn Shakin’ Cups allow 1) everyone to have their own portion of popcorn, 2) customizable “mix ins” to be added and neatly shaken up to combine, and 3) the popcorn to be eaten straight from the lid opening to mouth (meaning no messy fingers)! Yes, I know – GENIUS!

It’s easy to put together your own Popcorn Shakin’ Cups -purchase tall, clear plastic cups (mine are 20-ounce but I’ve seen them larger) and domed lids (usually found at an industry or party warehouse or sweet talk your convenience store for some shake/slurpee lids). Next fill with popcorn and your favorite mix-ins – I did almonds and chocolate chips, but Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, or cinnamon sugar and pecans are other yummy popcorn ideas. Add a cute label if you like –and that’s it! Eat, enjoy and toss – no clean up! Great for a party!

I picked up my mom-of-teenage-boys-sized haul of Pop Secret at Walmart – I got the Sea Salt flavor for movie night plus an extra box of the Pop Secret 100 Calorie Pop 94% Fat Free Kettle Corn for me to keep on hand for sensible snacking in the afternoon. Also, note to self – perhaps I should buy Pop Secret popcorn flavors by the cart full because a variety of boxes would be great to slip into oldest son’s college care packages since he has a dorm microwave.

DIY mess-free Popcorn Shakin’ Cups for family movie night – genius! @popsecret #pmedia #pop4Fantastic4 #ad

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Have you seen any good movies this summer? What is your favorite popcorn flavor or mix-in?

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Pop Secret, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #pop4Fantastic4 http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Gone Fishing . . . Kayaking and Wakeboarding #FlavorYourAdventure

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This “Flavor Your Adventure” post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. For more snack ideas to “Flavor Your Adventure” this summer, visit Blue Diamond Almonds on Facebook , Twitter, and Instagram .”

I love everything about the lake and am so lucky to be surrounded by so many bodies of water where I live! I’m an active, warm-weather loving person, so naturally, all the sports that a lake welcomes get me excited – I’m a happy girl on a waterski, wake board and stand up paddle board or rowing around in a kayak for a friendly race or to explore unchartered territory. I also like to take a trail run around the lake and then jump in to cool off! And, when I need a break, there’s no lack of relaxing choices — fishing, floating or snoozing in a hammock.

Staying fueled up for a busy day in the sun requires balanced meals and healthy snacks – and, of course, it should all taste fantastic and be easy to tote around! Almonds are probably my favorite way to flavor an adventure – these versatile nuts are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and heart healthy fats. Almonds are one of the most abundant sources of protein, fiber, calcium, niacin and vitamin E when it comes to tree nuts. I’m a fan of getting enough protein throughout the day to keep my motor running and almonds never fail – a one-ounce serving (about 23 almonds) adds an extra six grams of protein along with heart healthy fats to my meal or snack. Research has shown that the fats and protein in nuts curb hunger longer that other food choices, leading to less mindless snacking and overeating throughout the day.

Blue Diamond Almonds come in so many different flavors that my taste buds never get tired, but honestly, the lightly salted roasted almonds are perhaps my favorite – simple and just enough salt without being overpowering! The six-ounce cans are sized just right for taking down to the dock and sharing with family and friends – plus, I appreciate that almonds are a snack that needs no refrigeration. There is NO way I’m putting my snack in the same cooler where my husband keeps the finishing worms!

Fishing at dusk means a late dinner, eating almonds keeps the “hangries” away in a healthy way!

Summer Snacking – #FlavorYourAdventure with @bluediamond almonds #sponsored

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Have you spent time on the lake this summer? How are you flavoring your adventure? Are you a simple salted nut person or do you like flavors that are bold and exotic? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer

Sriracha Eating Tonight? How About Spicy Almond Halibut

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Jennifer FIsher

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds.

Hey there, so “Sriracha” eating for dinner today? I hope you’re hungry because I’m sharing a simple healthy snack followed with a hearty halibut recipe – both with a spicy Sriracha spin.

The Sriracha brand of Hot Chili Sauce that lit a billion taste buds on fire.

If you haven’t been part this condiment craze, Sriracha is an Asian sauce made from chili peppers, garlic, sugar, salt and vinegar. It first was produced by hand in the early 1980s and is sold in a signature squirt bottle with green cap and bearing a rooster on the front (so, I’ve always called it Rooster Sauce). In recent years, Sriracha has developed a cult-like following, but I’ve always been ahead of the curve when it comes to food and have been using it in my recipes since the early 1990s – while you can get it in your local grocery store today (even Walmart, it’s that mainstream), back then we’d have to venture down to the Asian market in Houston to score a couple bottles.

These days, Sriracha is used just about on everything, not just Thai or other Asian food — you’ll find it used on eggs, meats pizzas, pastas and other entrees as well as a bold flavor for popcorn, chips and nuts. In fact, I’ve been enjoying a couple cans of Sriracha Almonds from Blue Diamond – the flavor is intense and spicy, but not so over-the-top that your taste buds can handle the heat.

We love to enjoy Sriracha Almonds from Blue Diamond just as they are or paired with crispy roasted seaweed for a far eastern-inspired snack. Almonds make a sensible snack any time of day, the protein and heart-healthy fats found in this nut are satiating and take away the “hangries” until mealtime.

I love to make halibut for dinner – it’s such a hearty fish and great source of lean protein. However, the mild, sweet flavor of halibut needs a bit of spicing up in my opinion, so I decided to grind up some of the Sriracha Almonds to create a crunchy topping for this baked shrimp recipe. I’ve paired it with black rich (super rich in antioxidants) and edamame beans for a balanced, nutritious meal.

Sriracha Eating Tonight? How about Spicy Almond Halibut @BlueDiamond #Ad

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This is the can you’re looking for in the grocery store!

Are you a Sriracha addict, occasional user, or not so much of a fan?

What’s the craziest thing you’ve used this chili sauce on?

Please share in the comments below. XOXO — Jennifer

Sriracha Almond Halibut

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

15 mins

2 tablespoons almond meal ½ cup Blue Diamond Sriracha Almonds 2 sheets paper-thin roasted seaweed Sriracha sauce for drizzle

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Asian

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

2 6-ounce halibut steaks
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons almond meal
1/2 cup Sriracha flavored almonds by Blue Diamond Almonds
2 small sheets roasted seaweed snack I used "gimMe" organic brand
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Grind almonds to coarse consistency in food processor.
Pat halibut steaks dry and drizzle with olive oil. Rub tops of fish with 1 tablespoon of almond meal and then top with ground Sriracha almonds, pressing down into flesh.
Bake the fish until opaque in the center, about 8 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness.
Garnish with Sriracha sauce and piece of paper-thin roasted seaweed.
Serve with black rice and edamame beans , if desired.

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Tag Archives: almonds

5 Easiest Ever Almond Ideas for Holiday Party

Spicy-Sweet Smokehouse Bacon Almond Granola #GameChangingFlavor

DIY Popcorn Shakin’ Cups – Mess Free Mix-ins – Pop Secret Popcorn

Gone Fishing . . . Kayaking and Wakeboarding #FlavorYourAdventure

Sriracha Eating Tonight? How About Spicy Almond Halibut