Almond Paste, Marzipan

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I'm preparing for Christmas Stollen and wanted to share this: 

Almond paste and marzipan --are usually used in baking for some holiday treats.

They are almost the same--usually equal parts almonds and sugar (powdered sugar in some recipes), egg white, and optional ingredients, almond extract and salt.

I was shocked at the grocery store, as the SOLO brand now has 8 oz cans of it instead of 12 oz cans of it and it is $4/can, so maybe a cup or less for $4/can. That is so expensive! 

I buy almonds, raw, for around $5/lb, which is 3 cups.

I'm going to make it myself from now on in the food processor.

1 and 1/2 cups almonds, 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 egg white, and a pinch of salt.

The resulting almond paste will be 1 and 1/2 cups at a cost of $2.50 for the nuts, plus sugar, egg white and salt. 

cost comparison: 8 oz canned $4.00, 8 oz homemade a little over $1.70. 
That's the last time I'll buy it canned. ~Feather

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Feather Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Cook Joined: 21 October 2012 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 221	Post Options Post Reply Quote Feather Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Almond Paste, Marzipan Posted: 16 December 2012 at 13:29
	I'm preparing for Christmas Stollen and wanted to share this: Almond paste and marzipan --are usually used in baking for some holiday treats. They are almost the same--usually equal parts almonds and sugar (powdered sugar in some recipes), egg white, and optional ingredients, almond extract and salt. I was shocked at the grocery store, as the SOLO brand now has 8 oz cans of it instead of 12 oz cans of it and it is $4/can, so maybe a cup or less for $4/can. That is so expensive! I buy almonds, raw, for around $5/lb, which is 3 cups. I'm going to make it myself from now on in the food processor. 1 and 1/2 cups almonds, 1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1 egg white, and a pinch of salt. The resulting almond paste will be 1 and 1/2 cups at a cost of $2.50 for the nuts, plus sugar, egg white and salt. cost comparison: 8 oz canned $4.00, 8 oz homemade a little over $1.70. That's the last time I'll buy it canned. ~Feather

Sponsored Links

Margi Cintrano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Master Chef Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6362	Post Options Post Reply Quote Margi Cintrano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 December 2012 at 13:48
	Feather, Marzipan originated in the Mid east and was brought to Sicily and then Alicante in southeast Spain and Andalusia Spain in 700s. Its a real artisanal craft in Mediterranean. I am amazed by ur undertakings! Please photogragh. Google Giuseppe Carusso. He is a master in Martorana Sicily. His venue is called Bar Italico in Palermo Port. Kindest. Margi
	Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.

Feather Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Cook Joined: 21 October 2012 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 221	Post Options Post Reply Quote Feather Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 December 2012 at 14:01
	Okie-dokie Who knows, maybe my relatives were hanging out with Italians or Spaniards way back when? This creative cost saving thing, might be genetic or a genetic mutation? When we were growing up, we used marzipan as candy. I remember specifically making mini-bananas and peaches, shaping them, coloring them with food color mixed with water to give them a 'real life' look. It smelled good. It tasted good. Pictures say it all: http://www.google.com/search?q=marzipan&hl=en&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=QDbOUJm9CMnJ0QHqz4CYDA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=854&bih=607 ~Feather

Margi Cintrano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Master Chef Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6362	Post Options Post Reply Quote Margi Cintrano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 December 2012 at 14:44
	Feather. Firstly January 20th is Saint Sebastian Day and marzipan allover Sicily and mainland Italia and Spain compete in marzipan challenges for the best and most original shapes. It is profound art in convents and monasteries to this day in Medit. Thanks for link. Amazing art. We always buy over in Toledo, the Spanish Centre for marzipan here 50 km drive south. We are going this week so we can bring some to Switzerland. Please keep us updated. Mare
	Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.

Margi Cintrano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Master Chef Joined: 03 February 2012 Location: Spain Status: Offline Points: 6362	Post Options Post Reply Quote Margi Cintrano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 December 2012 at 14:12
	Feather, I wanted to mention that Panis Martius in Greek and Marzapane in Italian as well as in Spanish it is Mazapan, accent on A; was considered an Aphrodisiac by The Moors who brought almonds and the almond paste to The Western Mediterranean and hence forth it dates back to the 1,001 Nights and Ramadam And is an Easter dessert historically... however its popularity and tremendous enjoyment for Mediterraneans worldwide and export... have brought its shapes & versatility to the four corners of the globe. It has been produced in Toledo. Spain and Sicily since 850 ! We are going to Toledo on Thursday so we can buy some for the gals & GC. Kindest Margi
	Volamos a Mediterraneo, un paraiso que conquista su gente u su cocina.