1/2 c  Unsalted butter -; (1 stick)
     1 ts Vanilla
     1 c  Blanched whole almonds -;
          -(abt 4 oz)
   1/2 c  All-purpose flour
     1 c  Sugar
   3/4 ts Salt
     6 lg Egg whites
   1/3 c  Sliced almonds
          Sour Cherry Sauce; see *
          -Note
 * Note: See the “Sour Cherry Sauce” recipe which is included in this
 collection.
 In a small saucepan melt butter over moderately-low heat and continue
 to heat until golden brown with a nut-like fragrance. (Bottom of pan
 will be covered with brown specks.) Cool butter to warm and stir in
 vanilla. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch round
 cake pan, knocking out excess flour. In a food processor finely grind
 whole almonds with flour, 2/3 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a
 large bowl with an electric mixer beat whites with remaining 1/4
 teaspoon salt until they hold soft peaks. Add remaining 1/3 cup sugar
 gradually, beating until meringue just holds stiff peaks. Fold in nut
 mixture gently but thoroughly. Fold in butter gently but thoroughly
 (batter will deflate) and spread in pan. Sprinkle top of batter
 evenly with sliced almonds and bake torte in middle of oven 35 to 40
 minutes, or until it begins to pull away from side of pan and a
 tester comes out clean. Cool torte in pan on a rack 15 minutes and
 invert onto rack. Flip torte right-side up and cool completely. Torte
 may be made 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room
 temperature. Serve cake with Sour Cherry Sauce. This recipe yields ??
 servings.
                 
                 Yields       
                1 servings