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Amlou (almond, argan oil and honey spread)
Amlou: roasted almonds ground with argan oil and honey, the breakfast spread of the Souss
Between Essaouira and Agadir, where argan trees grow on the dry hills, breakfast is not complete without a bowl of amlou: roasted almonds ground to a paste with culinary argan oil and honey until it is pourable, nutty and sweet with a deep, toasty flavour. It is spread on warm bread, msemen or baghrir, eaten with tea, and taken by many as a quick source of energy on cold mornings. Culinary argan oil is made from roasted kernels and is not the same as cosmetic argan oil, which is unroasted; if you cannot find it, roasted walnut oil gives a similar result. Chef's tip: roast the almonds until they are golden right through to the centre; pale almonds give a flat-tasting amlou.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F. Spread 9 oz whole almonds on a baking tray and roast, shaking the tray halfway, until they smell toasty and are golden when you cut one in half.
14 minStep 2: Let them cool for 10 minutes, then grind in a food processor until they form a coarse, sandy meal.
10 minStep 3: Keep the processor running and blend for 3–5 minutes more, scraping down the sides, until the almonds release their oil and turn into a thick, smooth paste.
4 minStep 4: With the motor running, pour in ½ cup culinary (roasted) argan oil in a thin stream, then add 2 ⅛ oz runny honey and 1 pinch salt. Blend until it is glossy and pourable, like runny peanut butter. Pouring in the oil too fast, before the almonds are a paste, is the common mistake: the oil sits on top and the amlou stays gritty.
2 minStep 5: Scrape into a clean jar. Keep in a cool cupboard for up to 2 weeks and stir before using, as some oil rises to the top.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 210 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 19 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does amlou (almond, argan oil and honey spread) take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of runny honey?
- Maple syrup or golden syrup, same amount.
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