Natalie Haughtons Chocolate Almond Crunch Cookies Food

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.

BASIC TEXAS MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• In a bowl, thoroughly combine the ground beef and pork. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in the milk and oats. Pour into the meats. Mix thoroughly.
• Add Worcestershire sauce, tomatoes, celery, onion, green pepper, salt, pepper, herbs and garlic. Mix well.
• Form into oval loaf in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and lay the bacon lengthwise on top. Bake 50 minutes.

ZUCCHINI-TOMATO TIAN WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, half the herbs and salt. Cook gently for 5 minutes.
• Remove onions to a gratin dish, spreading them evenly over bottom.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In the same skillet, heat another 2 or 3 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, salt and pepper to taste and the remaining herbs. Saute, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes, or until zucchini begins to color.
• Distribute the zucchini over the onions. Tuck slices of tomato and olives into the mixture. Drizzle the remaining oil over top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer, or until some of the juices have evaporated. Serve warm or at room temperature, with a wedge of lemon or cruet of vinegar, if desired.

COCONUT CRUNCH COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in the coconut, chocolate chips and almonds. , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 9-11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks.

SAUTEED PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the peppers and then shake the pan to coat them with oil.
• Add the tomatoes and, if using canned tomatoes, about 1/2 cup of the juice. Add the basil, salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring from time to time, for 20 to 30 minutes.