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It's about apples again. Did you know that an average-sized apple has as much or more fiber as a bowl of the "little round oats". Pectin fiber in an apple absorbs more water and stays in your stomach longer than bran fiber., so apples make you feel full longer. Apples have no cholesterol, and in fact, seem to fight cholesterol because the pectin in apples traps bile, a digestive chemical that helps in digestion of fats. If you're on a low-sodium diet, it's hard to find a snack lower in salt. It has less sodium than a rib of celery, or carrot and even less than a glass of tap water. The average apple has only 80 calories - the perfect snack food.

So let's do recipes using apples

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AUTUMN FRUIT SALAD

1 apple unpeeled, cored and cut into chunks

2 bananas, sliced

3 T. orange juice

1-11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 c. raisins

1/4 c. chopped walnuts

1/4 c whipped topping

2 T. mayonnaise

Combine apples and bananas with the orange juice (to prevent discoloration). Drain any excess juice. Add raisins and walnuts. Combine whipped topping and mayo. Gently fold into apple mixture.

Makes 6 servings.

Note: If you don't have whipped topping on hand, add a total of 5 T. of mayo and 1/2 t. sugar.

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SOUR CREAM APPLE SQUARES

2 c. flour

2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened

1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. sour cream

1 t. vanilla

1 egg, beaten

2 c. peeled, chopped apples (not big chunks)

Whipped Cream or whipped topping - optional

In a mixing bowl, combine first 3 ingredients; blend at low speed until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Press 2-3/4 cups into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 baking pan. To the remaining crumb mixture, add cinnamon, baking soda, salt, sour cream, vanilla and egg. Beat until thoroughly combined. Stir in apples. Spoon evenly over bottom layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until cake tests done (with a toothpick). Cool on wire rack. Cut into squares. Garnish with whipped cream or whipping topping.

Makes 12 servings.

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APPLE BREAD

3 c. flour

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. vegetable oil

2 c. sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 t. vanilla

2 c. peeled, cored and coarsely chopped apples

1 c. chopped walnuts

In a bowl combine first 5 ingredients; set aside. In large mixing bowl combine next 5 ingredients. Stir into flour mixture. Add walnuts and mix. Divide mixture between two greased 8x4-inch bread pans. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool for 10 minutes on wire rack before removing from pans.

Make 2 loaves.

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OATMEAL APPLE RAISIN MUFFINS

1 egg

3/4 c. milk

1/2 c. oil

1 c. flour

1 c. quick oats

1/3 c. sugar

3 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 t. nutmeg

2 t. cinnamon

1 c. raisins

1 c. peeled, chopped apples

(chopped small)

In a large bowl, beat together egg, milk and oil. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Fold in apples and raisins. Turn into 12 greased muffin cups or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins.

TFD: A warm smile and wholesome laughter have great face value!

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