407 – Homemade Almond Paste / عَقْدَةْ-معجون اللّوز

Ingredients :

• 11 oz (300 grams) blanched almonds
• 2/3 cup (134 grams) white granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter (softened)
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
• A few pebbles of Gum Arabic (Meska) [optional]

Directions :

How to blanch almonds 
1- First, let’s prepare the gum Arabic (or Meska). Add a pinch of sugar to a few Meska pebbles, and crush them with the bottom of a cup until you get a fine powder. 
2- Next, using a food processor, mix the blanched almonds with the sugar until you get a smooth paste. The paste should be smooth enough that you can roll it into shapes.
3- In a large bowl, place the almond mixture. Add a little bit of orange blossom water and softened butter. Knead the ingredient with the tip of your fingers. You can also you’re the food processor if you want. 
4- Add a pinch of ground Meska and keep mixing until you get a very smooth almond paste. 
5- You can keep this almond paste in an airtight container for up to 1 month in the fridge or couple of months in the freezer.