Torrone di Guardiagrele

Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) whole almonds, toasted 2 cups (240g) whole almonds, toasted
• 1 cup (240ml) honey 1 cup (240ml) honey
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large egg whites 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• Edible rice paper, for wrapping Edible rice paper, for wrapping

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 25g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Line a baking dish with edible rice paper.
2. 2.
   In a large saucepan, combine the honey and sugar over medium heat. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. 3.
   In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until frothy.
4. 4.
   Slowly pour the frothy egg whites into the saucepan with the honey and sugar mixture, stirring continuously.
5. 5.
   Continue cooking the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches a temperature of 300°F (150°C) on a candy thermometer.
6. 6.
   Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the toasted almonds, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
7. 7.
   Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
8. 8.
   Place another sheet of edible rice paper on top of the nougat mixture and press down gently to flatten.
9. 9.
   Allow the Torrone di Guardiagrele to cool completely at room temperature for several hours or overnight.
10. 10.
    Once cooled and firm, remove the nougat from the baking dish and cut it into rectangular bars.
11. 11.
    Wrap each bar with edible rice paper and store in an airtight container.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to toast the almonds before adding them to the nougat mixture. Toasting enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the Torrone di Guardiagrele.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve the perfect texture, it is important to cook the honey and sugar mixture to the correct temperature. Use a candy thermometer to ensure accuracy.
• If you prefer a softer nougat, reduce the cooking time slightly.
• For added flavor, you can incorporate other nuts such as pistachios or hazelnuts into the Torrone di Guardiagrele.

Serving advice

Serve Torrone di Guardiagrele as a delightful dessert after a delicious Italian meal. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of espresso or a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Torrone di Guardiagrele bars on a beautiful platter, allowing the edible rice paper to peek through. Dust the bars with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.