ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toast chopped almonds on a baking sheet until lightly golden — about 12 minutes. Set aside.

In a heavy 2-quart saucepan, combine butter, sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently (constantly toward the end), to 300 degrees F on a candy thermometer (hard-crack stage). Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and 1-1/4 cups of the almonds. Immediately pour the mixture into a buttered 9- by 13-inch pan, spreading it evenly and quickly. Cool. Turn the cooled mixture out onto a sheet of waxed paper. Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler, then remove from heat. Spread chocolate over the surface of the almond crunch and sprinkle with remaining nuts. Let stand until set, then break into bite-sized pieces. Store airtight at room temperature.