VANILLA CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups butter, softened
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 package (12 ox.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Mix flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
Drop by rounded tablespoon about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks, cool completely.
Makes 5 dozen.
About Chef Noah
Noah was born in the village of Barnesville, Lawrence County, Tennessee in 1926. His parents were George and Rettie Belew. He was the fifth of six children born to his parents - four males and two females. Noah is the last living member of his Tennessee family.
His parents were farmers. They owned a rocky-hilly farm of about 75 acres adjacent to Saw Creek in Barnesville. Their farm's working tools were mules, plows, wagons, hoes, etc. This was before tractors, and even if tractors were available, they could not have been used on the hills where the Belews farmed.
Noah has come a long way since the days when he lived on the family farm. Today instead of pushing a plow, he cruises the Florida Gulf Coast, steering his shiny 21st Century Lincoln TownCar during the week and his Mercedes-Benz on weekends. He grows older and wiser, but he continues to be young-at-heart.
