Sweet Potato Apple Casserole, from Kris

Sweet Potato Apple Casserole:

- 4 or 5 small - medium yams or sweet potatoes cut to 1/4 inch thick rounds
- 4 cored apples (granny smith) cut to 1/4 inch rounds
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans
- 4 TBSP butter cut into slices
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- 2 TBSP dark molasses
- miniature marshmallows to preference

In small bowl mix cinnamon, ginger and brown sugar together.

In microwave safe cup, heat orange juice and molasses and stir together until well mixed.

In a baking dish that has been lightly sprayed with no stick spray, layer 1/2 of the sweet potato slices, top with half of the apple slices, add half of the raisins, half of the pecans and top with half of the brown sugar mixture. "Dot" with half of the butter slices, making sure to get little chunks of butter well distributed. Repeat for one more layer and then pour the orange juice mixture over entire casserole. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 20 minutes (or until sweet potatoes and apples are tender). In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add as many marshmallows to the top as you want. Remove from oven before marshmallows burn (this is a very important step!).

Apple-Stuffed Chicken Breasts, from Stacy

Pound some chicken breasts and roll them around sliced apples and sharp cheddar. I usually spray the bottom of the glass baking dish with Pam, then sprinkle it with bread crumbs. Place stuffed chicken breasts on top, then sprinkle those with bread crumbs and squeeze a lemon over them.

Suggested by Carrie - Apple Stuffed Chicken Breasts

I found this recipe on line, so that's what I'm going by ....

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Stuffed-Chicken-Breast/Detail.aspx

It went well. The chicken came out nice. I just made the chicken breasts stuffed with thinly sliced green apple, cheddar cheese, a few garlic bread crumbs, salt, pepper and a dash of allspice. Fried them up in a little butter, then added a little chicken stock and white wine and simmered them for 15 minutes.

They came out juicy and flavorful. It think it would make an awesome fall dish with the allspice in there, but it was still a good dinner for our guests. I served it with rice pilaf and steamed sugar snap peas.

Slow Cooker Baked Apples, from Karli

Slow Cooker Baked Apples
Core 4-6 apples (however many will fit in your crockpot) and place standing up in slow cooker. Fill empty cavity with brown sugar. Pour 1/2 cup apple juice or cider over apples and sprinkle cinnamon liberaly on top. Cook until apples are desired softness. <1.5>

Veggie Burger, by Jenifer

Veggie Burger:
1/2 c cracked wheat*
1/4 lb green beans
1 sm zucchini
1 sm carrot, peeled
1/2 granny smith apple, peeled
1/2 c canned chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 tbs onion minced
1 tbs sesame tahini (or peanut butter)
1 1/2 tbs canola oil1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
ground black pepper to taste
1/2 c. whole wheat bread crumbs

Cook green beans until tender/crisp; drain & chop finely. Cook cracked wheat in 1 c boiling water for 1 in; remove from heat and cover. Grate zucchini, carrot & apple; squeeze out extra moisture by pressing in a dishtowel: combine with chopped beans.In food processor, blend chickpeas, onions, garlic, tahini, curry powder, chili powder, salt, pepper and canola oil until smooth; add to shredded veggie mixure. Drain cracked wheat in strainer (press with back of spoon to be sure to remove all excess liquid); add to bowl w/ veggies. Add bread crumbs and refrigerate for 1 hour. Shape into burgers (wet your hands for this one). To cook on grill, lightly brush with oil and cook 3 mins per side.

* cracked what and bulgur are NOT the same- bulgur is parboiled and dried and then has the outer layers stripped before cracking- not so with cracked wheat. You can find real cracked wheat in Indian Food Stores, commonly called daliya.

Apples and Cheese Sandwich, by Allison

Get yourself a loaf of french bread (multigrain if you can), split it in half lengthwise and toast it under the broiler. Smear tarragon mayo on one side and on the other side you want thinly sliced apples and cheddar cheese. Toast again until the cheese is melted, then throw some watercress on it, put the two halves together, cut in three pieces and serve.

Unusual Chicken, suggested by Amber

Their recipe:

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken
• 4 medium red potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 6 carrots, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 2 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 12 whole fresh mushrooms
• 2 apples, cored and quartered (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place the chicken breast side down on a rack in a roasting pan, and roast 1 hour in the preheated oven.
3. Place the potatoes and carrots in a pot with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Cook 20 minutes, or until tender.
4. In a saucepan, mix the honey, mustard, butter, onion, curry powder, salt, cayenne pepper, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and set aside.
5. Drain the drippings from the roasting pan. Arrange the potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and apples around the chicken. Drizzle the chicken and vegetables with the honey mixture. Continue roasting 20 minutes, or until the glaze has browned. The chicken meat should reach an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C).

Sometimes I make it with cut up chicken pieces or chicken breasts, this cuts the cooking time in half. I have omitted the ginger and apples and it still comes out delicious!

Crockpot Pork Chops, an idea from Carrie

I'm doing pork chops in the crockpot. I browned them in the skillet with a little oil then put them in the crock. Then I added thinly sliced Gala and Granny Smith apples that I had tossed with lemon juice, cinnimon and brown sugar.

I'll probably serve it with stuffing and corn.

Carrie later added: It did turn out pretty well. The only thing I think I would have done differently is add a bit of white sugar towards the end so the apples were a bit sweeter and then right before serving I should have pulled out the chops and used an immersion blender to puree the apples and juice, adding a bit of corn starch to thinken it up a bit. It would have worked as a topping for the chops a lot better that way. As it was, the sauce was kind runny.