chewy almond cookies

i used to buy these chewy almond flour cookies from sigonas in palo alto.  they were light, chewy and a bit crispy on the outside.  and i think the woman made them at home.  i tried to look for a recipe but it was actually very hard to find.  i had bought a bag of almond meal from trader joes and thought that would be the main ingredient.  i ended up with the recipe below. instead of slivered almonds i used the almond meal.  i didnt have cinnamon and i didnt end up liking the tast of the cardamom.

3 3/4 cups slivered almonds 2 large egg whites 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 tsp cardamom (ground)

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 24 slivered almonds

1	Process almonds in a food processor 9 minutes or until a paste forms, stopping to scrape down sides.
2	Beat egg whites at medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
3	Combine almond paste, sugar, cardamom and cinnamon in a bowl, mixing with hands until blended.
4	Add egg whites; knead by hand until smooth and doughlike consistency.
5	Wet fingers with water, and shape dough into 1-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon dough for each cookie).
6	Slightly flatten with thumb.
7	Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8	Top each with almond sliver pressed in lightly.
9	Bake on middle rack of oven at 325? for 15-20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.
10	Remove cookies immediately to wire racks; cool.