Natalie Haughtons Chocolate Almond Crunch Cookies Recipes

NATALIE HAUGHTON'S CHOCOLATE ALMOND CRUNCH COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• In a medium-size bowl, using an electric mixer set at medium speed, beat together the butter, sugar, espresso powder, vanilla extract and salt until the mixture is fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the cocoa and flour until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Spread the dough into a foil-lined, 10-by-15-inch jellyroll pan. Sprinkle almonds over the top, pressing them in lightly with your fingertips.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the dough is set and the almonds are golden brown. Let cool before cutting into 1 1/2-inch squares.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND CRUNCHIES

Steps:

• First of all, using a sharp knife, chop the chocolate into small chunks about ¼ inch (5 mm) square. Now put the butter, sugar and syrup in a saucepan, place it on the gentlest heat possible and let it all dissolve, which will take 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the nuts into small chunks about the same size as the chocolate pieces. When the butter mixture has dissolved, take it off the heat. In a large mixing bowl, sift in the flour and salt and add the porridge oats and half the chocolate and nuts, then give this a quick mix before pouring in the butter mixture. Now, using a wooden spoon, stir and mix everything together, then switch from a spoon to your hands to bring everything together to form a dough. If it seems a bit dry, add a few drops of cold water. Now take half the dough and divide it into nine lumps the size of a large walnut, then roll them into rounds using the flat of your hand. Place them on a worktop and press gently to flatten them out into rounds approximately 2½ inches (6 cm) in diameter, then scatter half the remaining chocolate and almonds on top of the biscuits, pressing them down lightly. Once you have filled one tray (give them enough room to spread out during baking), bake them on the middle shelf of the oven for 15 minutes while you prepare the second tray. When they're all cooked, leave them to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling. You could store the biscuits in a sealed container, but I doubt you'll have any left!

CHICKEN WITH OLIVES, PRUNES AND CAPERS

Steps:

• In two or three baking pans, arrange the chicken pieces in one layer.
• Combine all the ingredients except the cilantro and one-half cup of the brown sugar. Pour over the chicken so that the prunes, olives and capers are evenly distributed. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar over the chicken and bake for about one hour, basting often.
• To serve, arrange the chicken pieces with the sauce on a platter. Sprinkle with the cilantro.

VERMONT RECIPES MUSHROOM-ALMOND PATE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large pan. Saute the onion, garlic, mushrooms and thyme over medium-low heat.
• Place the toasted almonds in a food processor with the olive oil and process until smooth. Add the mushroom mixture, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper. Process until the mixture becomes either a bit chunky or very smooth, depending on preference. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate, covered, for several hours.
• Serve with light rye bread, crackers, grapes, pears and Brie cheese.

HAZELNUT BISCOTTI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Stir in the vanilla, then add 2 1/2 cups of the flour mixed with baking powder.
• Cut the nuts in half and add them to the dough. The mixture should be thick enough to shape by hand. If not, add the remaining flour little by little until the mixture reaches the right consistency. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Shape the dough into about 6 small loaves that are 2 inches wide, 6 inches long and 1 inch high. Lay them about 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
• Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until light gold in color.
• While they are hot, place the loaves on a cutting board and cut them on the diagonal into 1/2-inch slices. Place the cookies on the cookie sheet, making sure they do not touch. Bake again for about 10 minutes, until they are golden brown. Watch closely and do not overbake.