Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with baking paper. Place the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stirring often, toast them for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Tip out onto a chopping board and leave to cool.

Step 2

In the same skillet, melt the butter over low heat until just melted. Pour into a medium bowl and add the sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine, then add the egg and beat it in quickly. Sift in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, then stir until a few floury patches remain in the dough. Touch the dough to test the temperature — if it is warm, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes to cool it down (so the chocolate chips won't melt).

Step 3

Roughly chop the toasted almonds. Add the chopped almonds and chocolate chips to the bowl and gently stir into the dough.

Step 4

Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls. Place onto a lined cookie sheet spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until golden around the edges with a soft center. Let the cookies sit on the tray for a minute then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.