Sugar-Crusted Meltaways

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup margarine or butter -- softened

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips -- (1 cup)

1 cup finely chopped nuts

sugar

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. In small bowl, combine orange peel and orange juice; set aside. In large bowl, cream 1/4 cup sugar, salt, margarine, water and vanilla. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Stir in flour, chocolate chips and nuts; mix well. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm to tough. Remove from cookie sheets; cool completely. Strain orange juice mixture. Dip cookies in orange juice; roll in sugar. Allow to dry to form sugar shell. 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Note: self-rising flour is not recommended.