Almond Sauce

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves: 2 Cuisine: American

A rich almond sauce with citrus and ginger notes, perfect for enhancing ham or pork dishes, offering a sweet, tangy, and nutty flavor profile.

Be the first to rate this recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup mandarin juice
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 oz. blanched almonds, chopped
  • 6 ginger snaps
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 mandarin
  • 1 oz. white raisins

Instructions

  1. Crumble cookies into water and stir until smooth; bring to a boil.
  2. Add sugar, vinegar, and mandarin juice; simmer for 10 minutes.
  3. Finely chop mandarin and lemon, including peel and fruit.
  4. Add citrus fruits, peel, raisins, and almonds; simmer for 20 minutes.
  5. Serve with ham or pork; sauce freezes well.

Tips & Substitutions

For a smoother texture, consider blending the ginger snaps with water before combining with other ingredients. If you don't have mandarin juice, orange juice can be a great substitute. For extra depth, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg. This almond sauce is versatile and complements dishes like ham or pork, similar to the flavors found in American recipes.

Serving Suggestions

This almond sauce pairs beautifully with ham or pork, adding a sweet and tangy flavor profile. For a complete meal, serve it alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. It can also be drizzled over grilled chicken for a unique twist. Consider serving it with coleslaw dressing (creamy) as a refreshing side.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover almond sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain its smooth consistency. This sauce also freezes well; just thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating for the best results.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Almond Sauce contains roughly 926 calories, with 10g protein, 166g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (104% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 518mg per serving (23% of the Daily Value).

926 kcal 46% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 9.6g 19% DV
Total Fat 21g 27% DV
Carbs 166.4g 61% DV
Fiber 3.1g 11% DV
Sugar 107.9g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 517.8mg 23% DV
Potassium 846.7mg 18% DV
Cholesterol 1.2mg

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 25.8mcg 3% DV
Vitamin C 21.3mg 24% DV
Calcium 203.2mg 16% DV
Iron 18.7mg 100% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Tree nuts

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different nuts instead of almonds?

Yes, you can substitute blanched almonds with other nuts like hazelnuts or cashews for a different flavor. Just ensure they are finely chopped to incorporate smoothly into the sauce.

How can I adjust the sweetness of the sauce?

If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of brown sugar to 1/4 cup or use a sugar alternative like agave syrup. Taste as you go to achieve your desired sweetness.

Is there a way to make this sauce vegan?

Absolutely! You can easily make this sauce vegan by ensuring that the ginger snaps you use are dairy-free. Also, substitute the white vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a similar tang without animal products.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

American recipes → Vegan recipes → Vegetarian recipes → All recipes →