Caramel apple pork chops

4 boneless pork chops, 3/4-inch thick
2 tablespoons brown sugar
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium tart red apples, cored and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
3 tablespoons chopped pecans-optional

Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Saute chops, 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temperature on a thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove; keep warm.

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar,salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet; stir in brown sugar mixture and apples. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or just until apples are tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange on top of chops; keep warm. Continue cooking mixture in skillet, uncovered, until sauce thickens slightly. Spoon sauce over apples and chops. Sprinkle with pecans if desired.

Apple & Celery Salad

My kids love apples but please don't tell them this is called "salad"

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayo
3 T. plain yogurt
2 T. sugar
2 t. grated lemon peel

Salad:
2 large granny smith apples, cut into 8 wedges then cut crosswise into bite-size pieces (about 4 cups)

2 large gala, cut same as above.

1 T fresh lemon juice

6 medium stalks celery with leaves

3/4 cup chopped walnuts toasted.

To toast walnuts, sprinkle in ungreased heavy skilled. Cook over medium heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until walnuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until light brown. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients until blended. Refrigerate until serving time;

Place apples in large bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice; toss until coated;

Remove leaves from celery; chop leaves into 1/2-inch pieces to measure 1/2 cup;

Cut celery stalks diagonally into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices to measure 2 cups. Add to bowl with applles. Refrigerate until serving time.

Just before serving, toss apples and celery; Add dressing, toss until coated; Sprinkle with walnuts.

Baked squash and apples

The kids love this one! Even my husband who doesn't think he likes squash, eats a serving of this one! Very fattening but Oh SO Yummy!!

winter squash-any size for your squash lovers
a few pared apples
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 T. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon(+ or - to your liking, I like more!)

Peel the squash and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices.
Place in an ungreased 8x10 baking pan.
Cut pared apples in 1/2 inch thick slices and layer on top of the squash pieces.
Mix together remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the squash and apples.
Cover with foil and bake at 350* for 50-60 minutes.

Peanut butter dip

1/2 c. creamy PB
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1/2 t. cinnamon

Stir all ingredients in small bowl until fluffy.
Serve with celery, apples or pears.

Easy Apple Butter

This recipe sounds complicated, but it really isn't! Once you make it once, if you love apple butter, you will make it over and over again! It is SO EASY and you really can't mess it up! It makes great gifts, too! Just tie a ribbon around the jar! Everyone I have ever given it to asks for the recipe! It is so yummy on any kind of buttered toast!

12 c. Apples
4 c. sugar
1/3 c. juice-any kind
1 1/2 t.-4 T. cinnamon
optional spices: ginger, cloves, nutmeg or "red hot" candies
Peel and core apples then cut into about 1 inch chunks. Put apples into crock pot with sugar.
Add juice(just enough so the apples don't stick initially)I usually just use what I have in the fridge, OJ, apple, pineapple, I have used lots of diff. kinds and I really can't tell the diff.
Add cinnamon.
The other spices are optional, I have even used a couple t. pumpkin pie spices, It just depends on your taste preferences. Some people even drop "Red Hot" candies in to give a different cinnamon taste.
Turn the crock pot on high for a couple hours then stir, turn down to low for 8-10 hours.
Blend it in a blender a little at a time until smooth then put back into crock pot on high with the lid off until it is as thick as you like it. Can it. Enjoy!