Fried Almonds with Rosemary is an absolute pleasure to prepare. The fresh rosemary is deliciously fragrant as the almonds are frying. And the warm almonds, ready in minutes, are remarkably flavorful sprinkled with sea salt and skillet-crisped bits of rosemary. These almonds are great for gift-giving, parties or as a simple family treat.
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Ever take that Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Keirsey Temperament Sorter test? If not, you probably should, just so you know what people are talking about when they start explaining themselves in terms of I’s and E’s or P’s and J’s, as in “I’m an INTJ. What are you?”
After answering several pages of multiple choice questions, the Myers-Briggs test will give you a four letter badge. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter uses your answers to assign a one word label, such as “Artisan” or “Rational,” by which to describe yourself. These tests will tell you how you view the world and, better yet, suggest reasons why others view it differently.
I took the test again a few weeks ago on a women’s retreat with forty other women. We used the Keirsey model to narrow our results to combinations of two of the four Myer’s-Briggs trait dichotomies. Then we formed small groups according to our four distinct types.
Playing Games
What did I learn? Nothing new really. The test simply affirmed that I am, as some might say (with varying expressions on their face), a bit special. Out of forty women divided into four groups there were only two of us who were NTs (a combination of Intuitive vs Sensing and Thinking vs Feeling.) In Keirsey lingo we are known as Rationals, problem solvers who trust logic, prize technology and seek efficient solutions. To make us even more special the other person was opposite me on the other two traits measured by the Myers-Briggs test. Even in a world where we can measure everything, and find a box for everyone, it turns out I am still a bit different.
But I hate boxes. I never feel comfortable squeezing into them. As my Rational label suggests I have never been completely comfortable coloring outside the lines. That said, these tests leave me with little room to be who I think I am. Being an NT works for me in some ways. I can be very analytical. I once worked as a CPA. Now, however, I work as an artist and writer so I might expect to find that I had wandered into the “Artisan” box. But, no. I still test strongly as an “NT” or “Rational”.
The Pleasure of Herbs
Feeling frustrated, I have to see this for what it is, a game. These personality tests give us something to think about and amuse ourselves with for the weekend. Someone has to go in every box to validate the game. In that context, I really don’t mind playing along. I will just keep some things to myself.
I do trust my intuition. I also like to know how things will turn out. That doesn’t mean, however, that I don’t try new things or work out a problem, or a recipe, using sensory data. In fact, as an artist and cook, I thrive on the imformation I gather through my senses.
No one playing the game has to know how I swoon at the scent of fresh rosemary as I brush against it in the garden or cut small fragrant branches to tie into a rosemary brush. They don’t need to know how I savor the texture of Marcona almonds and the way they feel against my teeth as I bite into them, firm yet giving. They don’t have to understand the way the taste of salt on my tongue takes me back to my childhood. Then my Dad taught us to use the salt he sold for healing, softening, cleaning, or preserving.
No, people can see me as pragmatic and skeptical if they want to. Meanwhile I’ll just be over here, quietly working on my little food blog, savoring the sensual joys of cooking for family and friends.
Fried Almonds with Rosemary
And, speaking of rosemary, here is a particularly simple and sensual recipe for Fried Almonds with Rosemary. I remembered it when I saw Marcona almonds seasoned with rosemary at Trader Joe’s. I bought a bag and took it to a meeting where I was providing refreshments. Everyone loved them.
I think it is great fun to find such interesting products readily available at Trader Joe’s and they are great for those days when I need a quick convenient snack. Still it is a fabulous sensory experience to make these at home. The fresh rosemary is wonderfully fragrant as the almonds are frying. And the warm almonds, that are ready in minutes, are delightfully flavorful along with the skillet crisped fresh rosemary leaves. If you have almonds on hand and fresh rosemary in your garden Fried Almonds with Rosemary will be quick, easy and an absolute pleasure to prepare.
Fried Almonds with Rosemary
Course: Appetizers, SnacksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
cups3
minutes2
minutes5
minutesFried Almonds with Rosemary is an absolute pleasure to prepare. In just a few minutes you will have a fragrant kitchen and an inviting snack to share. Great for gifts, parties or a simple family treat.
Ingredients
2 cups unskinned whole almonds (or plain marcona almonds)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves, coarsely chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
Directions
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat.
- Add the almonds and rosemary. Cook, stirring constantly, until they are fragrant and toasted, approximately 1 – 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Breathe in. Smile!
Notes
- Recipe Source: Spain and the World Table by Janet Mendel from the Culinary Institute of America.
I really like this unique application for rosemary – which you can pick growing wild (or in your neighbor’s yard, um, I’m just saying) in Portland. Yum!
In my undergrad psychology classes, I always had to take these tests. Ever take the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Test? Oy, it fits right in there with the others. Anyway, I’m bad about boxes, too. One answer never fits me. Perhaps I could check the box “depends upon the day.” I don’t like picking the “best” answer; I don’t think it captures me well enough. As you can guess, these tests usually reveal I’m somewhat indecisive, too 🙂 Anyway, these almonds look fantastically fabulous!! I’m going to make some right now! Good thing I have my almonds at hand!
I bet this was just heavenly to smell while it was cooking
I did those tests back in college, but I can’t remember what I was. Some sort of introvert something or other. The almonds sound wonderful!
i have no doubt i’d be a rational. there’s really no other word to describe me. 🙂
great nuts, by the way. i’m sure the rosemary adds quite an interesting dimension!
Now I want to take that test! Those almonds sound delicious too!
I’m used to sugar coated almonds so this would be a very nice and interesting change. Flavors of olive oil and rosemary blend beautifully with the taste of the almonds I’m sure. I’ll definitely try it.
Let’s see, I’ve been typed as ENTP and INTJ, the group setting seems to make a difference. But the E/I has REALLY helped me work-wise, and even relationship-wise. I ask clients, Would you like me to send you the proposal to review on your own or bring it in to present to you? They always know their preference. The Is want to review it on their own, the Es want to talk it over. It’s not as much ‘personality’ as learning method.
Love the almonds too!
I bet this is so good.