RECIPES FOR A PERFECT DAY:

BREAKFAST --

Puffy Apple Omelet

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt, optional

2 large eggs, separated, room temperature

3 tablespoons 2% milk

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons sugar

Topping:

1 large apple, peeled, if desired, and thinly sliced

1 tsp. sugar

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix flour, baking powder, and, if desired, salt.  In small bowl, whisk egg yolks, milk and lemon juice; stir into flour mixture.  In another bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until foamy.  Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating on high after each addition until stiff peaks form.  Fold into flour mixture.  Pour into a 9 inch deep-dish pie plate coated with cooking spray.  Arrange apple slices over top.  Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over apple slices. Bake uncovered, until a knife inserted 3in center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes.  Serve immediately.

OR --

Apple Walnut Baked Oatmeal

2 cups oats

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg, beaten

1 mashed banana

1 1/2 cups milk

1 tsp. vanilla

4 small apples, chopped

1/4 cup walnuts

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Combine dry ingredients in a bowl.  Mash banana well in separate bowl and add the remaining liquid ingredients.  Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and blend well.  Grease a small baking dish or pan with butter.  Pour oat mixture into dish; top with apples and walnuts. (Pam's note:  I revise the recipe and stir the apples and walnuts into the mixture before pouring into the pan.  I also add 1 tablespoon honey.)  Bake for 30 minutes until center is set.  Cool 10 minutes before cutting.

LUNCH --

Sauteed Apple and Smoked Turkey Salad

1 red or green apple

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1/4 cup fresh or dried cranberries or tart cherries

6-8 ounce package mixed greens

2 cups bite-size cubes smoked turkey (10 oz.)

2 oz. goat cheese or feta cheese, crumbled

1-2 tablespoons toasted coarsely chopped nuts

Dressing:

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/3 nut oil, such as walnut (may substitute olive oil)

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon grainy mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Core and slice apple into thin slices.  In a large skillet melt butter ove medium heat.  Stir in maple syrup.  Add apple slices and cook 6-8 minutes or until apples are golden on both sides and still slightly crispy, turning apples as needed.  Stir in cranberries or cherries; set aside.  In a large bowl, arrange greens.  Top with turkey.  Spoon on apple mixture and top with cheese.  Whisk together all dressing ingredients except oil.  Gradually whisk in oil until well blended.  Drizzle dressing onto salad and top with nuts.  Serve immediately.

DINNER --

Slow Cooker Potato Broccoli Soup

3 1/2 pounds yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces

1 large onion, cut into wedges

2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped

2 14.5-ounce cans vegetable broth

12 ounce can evaporated milk

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 lb. broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces

8 oz. sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Snipped fresh chives

Combine potatoes, onion and garlic in slow cooker.  Add 1 cdan of the broth, evaporated milk, 1/2 tsp. of salt and the nutmeg.  Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 7 hours.

Place broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/2 cup water.  Cover with plastic and microwave 3-4 minutes, until tender.  Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the broccoli; add remaining broccoli to slow cooker along with remaining can of vegetable broth and 1 cup of the cheese.  Puree with an immersion blender until completely smooth.  Stir in remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 cup cheddar, reserved broccoli, sour cream and pepper.  Blend well.  Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with chives just before serving.

DESSERT --

Spiced Apple Blondies

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp. salt

4 oz. unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 extra-large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large Golden Delicious apple, cored and chopped

1/3 cup chopped peans

4 oz. white chocolate, coarsely chopped (I use white chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour 8x8" baking dish or pan.  In medium bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.  In large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with electric mixer until creamy.  Beat in egg, then vanilla.  Fold in dry ingredients, apples and chocolate until just blended.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, approximately 25-35 minutes.  Cool in pan, then cut into squares.