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I'm nuts about nuts...especially almonds. So, you know what it's about today. If you usually save almonds for special occasions, you'll be surprised to find out how much flavor they add to everyday recipes. It adds zip to breads, salads, dry breakfast cereals, out of hand snacks, veggies, etc. When you use slivered, sliced, chopped or whole almonds, they are more flavorful if they are toasted or roasted. To roast them: Spread almonds in a shallow pan, lightly coated with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until light brown; stirring occasionally. Remove from pan onto a plate to cool. For toasting, which I most often do, put them in a frying pan, in one layer, and over medium heat, stir or shake the pan until light brown. Immediately turn nuts onto a metal cake cover lid or a plate and let them cool. I have taken this information and taped it to the inside of my cupboard door where I can find it easily. You'd think by cooking for the past 60 years I'd remember how to do it. Oh, well!

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ALMOND CITRUS SALAD

2 grapefruit, peeled and separated into segments

2 oranges, sliced 1/2-inch thick, quartered

1/4 c. finely chopped red onion

6 c. lightly packed torn spinach leaves, stems removed, washed and patted dry on paper towels

2/3 c. slivered almonds, toasted

Dressing:

1/3 c. orange juice

2 T. each, white wine vinegar and canola or olive oil (can substitute cider vinegar for wine vinegar)

1 T. honey

2 t. grated fresh ginger or 1/2 t. powdered ginger

1/4 t. salt

1 shake of cayenne pepper

Combine all dressing ingredients in blender. Blend thoroughly, 10-15 seconds or beat with a hand mixer in a small bowl, on low until mixture thickens a bit. Set aside. Combine grapefruit, oranges and onion in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad, stirring gently to coat fruit.

Refrigerate 15-30 minutes. To serve, line four salad plates with spinach. Spoon fruit mixture over spinach, dividing equally. Sprinkle almonds on top.

Makes 4 servings.

Note: If you wish, when ready to serve, add spinach leaves to fruit mixture and turn into a pretty salad bowl; sprinkle with almonds. Pass the salad.

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ALMOND ASPARAGUS

3 T. butter or margarine, divided

3 T. bread crumbs *

1 small garlic clove, minced

1/2 c. sliced almonds

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

(fresh grated cheese is best)

1 lb. fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces (2 c. or about 15 spears)

1 T. lemon juice

In medium skillet, melt 2 T. butter over medium heat. Stir in bread crumbs and garlic; saute until crumbs are golden brown. Remove from heat; stir in the almonds and cheese. Set aside. Cook asparagus in a small amount of water until crisp-tender. Drain; heat with rest of butter. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Spoon into serving bowl and top with crumb mixture.

Makes 4-6 servings.

*If you don't have bread crumbs, put 1 slice white bread in microwave at 30% power for as long as it takes bread to get dry. Watch carefully so it doesn't burn. Crush dry bread in a plastic bag to make crumbs.

Note: Be sure to press air out of bag before crushing bread.

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BANANA-ALMOND MUFFINS

1-3/4 c. flour

2-1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/3 c. sugar

2/3 c. chopped almonds, toasted

1 egg, beaten

3/4 c. mashed bananas (about 2 medium)

1/2 c. plus 1 T. milk

1/3 canola or vegetable oil

1/4 c. honey

2 T. butter or margarine, melted

1/3 c. finely chopped almonds, toasted

In a large mixing bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; make a well in center of mixture. Combine next 4 ingredients; stirring just until moistened. Spoon batter into greased and floured muffin pans, or use paper liners, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden. Remove from pans immediately, but if you use liners, let sit in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Meanwhile, put honey in a small deep bowl, large enough to dip a muffin into, mixing well. Dip top of muffin lightly into honey mixture and sprinkle tops with almonds.

Makes 12-14 muffins.

Note: If you only have a 12 cup muffin tin, I put leftover batter into a metal 1 c. measuring cup with a liner inside.

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TFD: If you only have an ounce of self respect, you need to put on some weight!

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