There is no doubt that almonds are one of the most versatile varieties of nuts! Apart from being super-nutritious and delicately sweet, these nuts can be used to cook multiple dishes. It may seem unusual that these nuts are used to make savoury foods like handmade crackers and quiche crusts, as well as sweets like brownies and ice cream. Check out these 10 recipes to see how.

Try this easy-peasy recipe to create a classic lemon tart with an almond twist!

• Using a food processor, blend flour, almonds, sugar, butter, extract, and salt. By adding water one tablespoon at a time, pulse the mixture to form a soft dough.
• In a 9-inch baking dish, bake the dough at 400° until it turns golden brown. Then let it cool down a little. 
• Blend eggs, sugar, lemon juice, peel, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in butter and cook until it thickens. Pour into the crust.
• Place in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until set. Allow it to cool on a wire rack. 

It can be a fun snack for your next house party.

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Unroll pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/8 inch and cut each into circles. Prick holes in the pastries with a fork and transfer them to oiled baking pans. Bake until they turn golden brown. Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and almond essence and spread this mixture over the cooled pastries. Place berries on top and lightly press to adhere. Sprinkle with almonds and confectioners' sugar, if desired. 

The crumbly, sandy texture of Sandies makes them quite popular. Most often, these cookies contain a large number of groundnuts to help them form that texture. However, if you're looking for a different kind of shortbread, you'll love these Almond Sandies!

• Mix butter and sugar thoroughly in a mixing bowl. Gradually add flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the creamed mixture. Sprinkle some almonds into the mix to get that sandy texture.
• Pour the mixture onto ungreased baking sheets using rounded teaspoonfuls. Preheat the oven to 300°F and bake for around 20 minutes, or until it turns light brown. Allow cooling for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.

This creamy cauliflower soup is flavoured with various Moroccan spices and garnished with toasted almonds, harissa, and fresh cilantro.

• Combine cauliflower, vegetable stock, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup cilantro, and the remaining 7 ingredients in a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on low flame for 6-8 hours, covered until cauliflower is soft.

• Allow to cool slightly before blending the soup in stages in a blender; return to the slow cooker and heat through. Serve with the remaining 1/4 cup almonds, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, and more harissa, if desired.

Apple pies are a timeless staple that can be eaten at any time of year. Try this apple pie variant with the addition of almonds and cranberries, which makes it sweet and tangy with a unique toasty almond flavour in every bite.

• Mix sugar, flour, nutmeg, butter, and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture after adding some apples and cranberries, stir the mixture gently. Fill a pastry shell with the resultant mixture.

• In a smaller bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Mix it with the almonds. In a separate bowl, mix your spices and fruits to create your filling. Spread out evenly in your pie crust and bake for approximately 45 minutes at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Try this recipe for a tastier and healthier version of the traditional lemon bars.

• Mix flour, confectioners' sugar, almonds, and lemon zest in a food processor until they are finely chopped. Add butter and process until crumbly. Press the dough into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Place in a 350°F preheated oven for 20 minutes.

• While the crust is cooking, whisk together the eggs, sugar, coconut, lemon juice, flour, lemon zest, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Continue baking until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool—dust with confectioners' sugar. Remove squares.

You can never go wrong with cheesecakes. This recipe with almonds proves it.

• Combine wafer crumbs, almonds, and sugar in a mixing dish, and then toss the butter until thoroughly combined. Set aside. Press into the bottom of a greased 10" springform pan.
• Mix cream cheese and sugar in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Add the eggs. Just till united, beat on low pace. Pour into the pie crust.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake until the centre is almost set. Remove from the oven and set aside for 5 minutes. Combine sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Carefully spoon on top of the cake to the pan's edges. Bake for an additional 5 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. To loosen the pan, carefully run a knife around the edge. Allow for another hour of cooling time. Refrigerate for at least one night.