Blanched Almonds

A reader has asked: What are blanched almonds? Are they different from regular almonds?

A: Blanched almonds have had their brown skins removed. If you need blanched almonds and only have brown ones—called “natural” or “unblanched” almonds—you can blanch them yourself. Just put the almonds in a pan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil, then drain the almonds. Rub them in a towel and go over them one by one to remove the skin, which should slip right off. Dry out the almonds on a jelly roll pan in a 300˚F oven for about 10 minutes, then let them cool before proceeding with the recipe.