Chunky Applesauce

8 cups chopped apples (about 3 ½ lbs.)

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a Dutch oven, combine apples, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Cover and cook over medium heat until apples are tender, stirring occasionally, approximately 35-40 minutes.  Remove from the heat, stir in vanilla.  Mash apples slightly, if desired.  Serve warm or cold.

Muffin-top Apple Oatmeal Cookies

1 ½ sticks butter, softened

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

¾ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. each allspice, baking powder, and salt

2 large eggs

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

2 cups old-fashioned oats

2 cups coarsely grated, peeled apples

¾ cup golden raisins

Garnish:  dried apple chips

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Have baking sheets ready.  In a large bowl with mixer on medium speed, beat butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice, baking powder and salt, 3 minutes or until fluffy.  Beat in eggs 1 at a time until blended.  On low speed, beat in flour just until combined.  Stir in oats, apples and raisins.  Drop by ¼ cups dough about 4” apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake 17 minutes, placing an apple chip on each cook after 15 minutes, until cookies are golden.  Remove to wire rack to cool.

Apple, Blue Cheese & Bibb Salad

4 cups torn Bibb or Boston lettuce

3 medium Golden Delicious apples, chopped

½ cup olive oil

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

½ tsp. mustard seed, toasted

½ tsp. stone-ground mustard (whole grain)

¼ tsp.l salt

1/8 tsp. coarsely ground pepper

1 cup crumbled blue cheese

¾ cup walnut halves, toasted

½ cup golden raisins

In a salad bowl, combine the lettuce and apples.  In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, honey, mayonnaise, mustard seed, mustard, salt and pepper.  Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.  Sprinkle with cheese, walnuts and raisins.  Serve immediately.