CHEWY ALMOND MACAROONS RECIPES

Steps:

• Process almonds in a food processor 9 minutes or until a paste forms, stopping to scrape down sides.
• Beat egg whites at medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
• Combine almond paste, sugar, cardamom and cinnamon in a bowl, mixing with hands until blended.
• Add egg whites; knead by hand until smooth and doughlike consistency.
• Wet fingers with water, and shape dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon dough for each cookie).
• Slightly flatten with thumb.
• Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Top each with almond sliver pressed in lightly.
• Bake on middle rack of oven at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
• Remove cookies immediately to wire racks; cool.

Steps:

• "In a food processor grind fine the whole almonds with the sugar, the almond extract, and the salt. In a bowl beat the whites until they are foamy (just before they hold soft peaks) and fold in the almond mixture gently but thoroughly. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and butter the parchment. Transfer the batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip, pipe 1-inch mounds onto the parchment, 2 inches apart, and sprinkle them with the sliced almonds. Bake the macaroons in the middle of a preheated 300°F. oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden around the edges, and let them cool on the parchment. Peel the macaroons from the parchment and store them in an airtight container. Makes about 40 macaroons. Gourmet July 1990 "