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Hi! This week I have three wonderful, flavorful recipes for you. The Smoked Chicken salad might be ideal for a holiday gathering. It sounds very colorful and elegant. The baked apples would make a perfect dessert anytime. If you want.... switch out the raisins with cranberries or dried tart cherries for a different flavor impact.

The baked chicken calls for butternut squash. I admit that I have avoided EVER using squash of ANY type, but I have been hearing wonderful reviews of dishes made with this squash. The decision is yours! Let me know what you think!

Thank You, and Enjoy!    Elaine

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SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD WITH CHERRIES

Chicken Salad:

4 1/2 Cups Smoked Chicken (diced)

1 1/2 Cups Celery (diced 1/4 inch)

2 1/4 Cups Sweet Onions (diced 1/4 inch)

2 1/4 Cups Dried Tart Cherries (chopped)

1 1/2 Cups Toasted Pecan Pieces

1/2    Cup Fresh Basil (minced)

2       Cups Mayonnaise

3       Tbsp. Fresh Orange Juice

1       tsp. Fresh Orange Peel

3/4    tsp. Salt

3/4    tsp. Black Pepper (ground)

Dice or chop chicken, celery, onion and cherries to about

1/4 inch. Combine chicken, celery, onion, cherries, pecans, basil, mayonnaise, orange juice, orange peel, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl; stir gently until combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To prepare sandwiches:

Chicken Salad, 24 slices rustic bread, 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 48 leaves Bibb lettuce

Place bread on work surface, spread 12 slices of bread with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise each. Spread other 12 slices with 3/4 cup (about 6 oz.) chicken salad per slice. Top chicken salad with Bibb lettuce, close sandwiches; slice in half diagonally and serve. Makes 12 sandwiches; 9 cups (72 ounces) chicken salad.

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CARAMEL BAKED APPLES

6     to 8 Medium Apples

1/2  Cup Raisins

3     Tbsp. All-purpose Flour

1/3  Cup Sugar

1/2  tsp. Cinnamon

3     Tbsp. Butter

1/4  Cup Walnuts (chopped)

1/2  Cup Water

1/2  Cup Orange Juice

Wash apples; core then peel one narrow strip from around top edge. Place apples in a deep baking dish. Fill centers with raisins. Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork. Stir in chopped walnuts. Sprinkle crumb mixture over the apples. Pour water and orange juice over apples. Bake, uncovered, in a 350°  oven for 1 hour, basting occasionally. Serve these baked apples with cream or ice cream.

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HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN BAKE

A delicious one dish meal, ready to pop into the oven in minutes.

4     Bone-in Chicken Breasts (skinned)

1     Butternut Squash (peeled, cut into 1" cubes)

1     Onion (chopped)

3     Cloves Garlic (minced)

3/4  Cup Creamy Honey Mustard Salad Dressing      

1/2  tsp. Dried Tarragon Leaves

2     Cups Sugar Snap Peas

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place chicken, squash, and onion in 15x10" jelly roll pan. Combine garlic, salad dressing, and dried tarragon and brush half of this mixture over chicken and vegetables. Roast at 425 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Remove pan from oven, stir food and add sugar snap peas. Drizzle remaining honey mustard mixture over chicken and vegetables. Bake for 20-25 minutes longer until chicken's juices run clear when pricked with fork. 4 servings.

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