Can I substitute matzo meal for ground almonds in Nigella Lawson's Clementine cake?

plotto
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8 Comments

creamtea April 4, 2018
Glad it worked out!
 
plotto April 3, 2018
Thank you for the responses. Potato chips, interesting!
I didn't make myself clear enough. It has to be nut-free (for the school) and it's during Passover, so no flour. I forgot about the nut-free zone when I had planned on making this cake. I will just have to choose another recipe and enjoy the clementines!
(The website won't let me use the reply button"
 
Nancy April 3, 2018
Suspected either an allergy or an outage of almond meal.
If you still want to make a cake, you could do an orange sponge cake or angel food cake with the clementines as garnish (replace the flour in those cakes with matzo meal ground fine in blender or processor).
Or something else you and the eaters will prefer.
 
creamtea April 3, 2018
Of course, I should have realized! In addition to Nancy's suggestions, you could also do something with meringue, either a pavlova-type cake or individual meringues
 
plotto April 4, 2018
I went rogue and used mazto meal anyway, just to see what would happen. I added an extra clementine. Turned out almost pound-cakey. Definitely better the next day. My husband asked for a second piece! Was thinking a dollop of creme fraiche would b
e nice.
 
Nancy April 4, 2018
;)
Sounds good!
Happy your adaptation made it moist and good tasting...
 
creamtea April 3, 2018
No. Neither the texture or flavor will be right. You can make decent almond meal using a food processor. You grind them in a processor with some of the sugar. If you wish to blanch whole raw almonds first, then bring a pot of water to the boil. Pour in the almonds. Drain and blot dry. Pinch each one at the pointy end (the other end works too) and they'll pop right out of the skins. Allow to dry, then grind with some of the sugar (in batches if your processor is small). Don't overdo it or they'll turn to almond butter. If you are taking the time and effort to make this cake for Passover, it pays to follow the recipe.
 
Nancy April 3, 2018
You could but it would probably result in a dry cake (as the matzo meal has little fat compared to the nuts and more absorbent capacity).
To replace the ground almonds I would recommend:
Another nut
Ground or crushed potato chips
Ground or crushed cereal
Half matzo meal or cake meal & half potato chips or cereal.
Good luck & please tell us your results.
 
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