RECIPE SWAP: READERS THROUGHOUT REGION SHARE FAVORITES

The Chili Cookoff is over and I enjoyed the taste testing very much. It is a challenge to taste so many different types of chili and judge each one. Then comes the task of choosing winners, which is extremely difficult. Each one was so very different not only in taste, texture, and eye appeal, but different types of chili. It is hard to judge a white chili against a five-alarm hot chili. But, we got the job done and I'm sure will enjoy any of the recipes you will try.

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Again this week we have one more Crock Pot Apple Butter recipe to share with you. This one comes to us from Shirley Reeves of Cape Girardeau. It is very different in that it starts from applesauce and not whole cooked apples. Shirley added that it is not only very easy, but really good, too.

Quick Crock Pot Apple Butter

1 #10 size can applesauce (the large institutional size.

5 cups sugar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons cinnamon Combine all ingredients well. Put in crock pot at night without lid on high temperature. The next morning, stir and reduce temperature to low. Allow to cook without lid till evening or desired thickness. Put in jars and seal. Makes approximately 5 pints. A variety of recipes are being shared to us this week by our "Friends from Altenburg." We do appreciate the interest these ladies have taken in Recipe Swap, and we especially appreciate their wonderful recipes.

Squash Casserole

1 package Pepperidge Farm Herb Stuffing mix

1 stick margarine or butter

1 1/2 pounds yellow squash

1 can cream of chicken or cream of celery soup

1 onion

1 small jar chopped pimento

1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream Cook squash in salt water until just tender. Mash. Add soup, onion, pimento and sour cream. Mix melted butter with stuffing. Line bottom of casserole with 1/2 stuffing, add squash mixture and top with remaining herb stuffing. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.

Spinach and Potato Pie

4 eggs

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1 1/2 cups hash browns

1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and well drained

1/2 cup cheese Combine eggs, milk, pepper and garlic salt. Combine hash browns, spinach and cheese. Mix with egg mixture and blend well. Pour into medium skillet and cook over medium heat 12 minutes or until center is soft set and bottom is golden. Let stand 5 minutes, covered. To serve, cut into wedges.

Oatmeal-Pecan Pancakes

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1/3 cup salad oil

3/4 cup flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

2 eggs

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans In medium bowl, pour milk over oats. Let stand 2 minutes. With hand beater or whisk, add oil and remaining ingredients until blended. Mixture will be thin. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle until each side is golden brown. Very good.

Lentil Soup

2 cups lentils

8 cups water

2 slices bacon, cut up

1/2 cup onions

1/2 cup celery

1/2 cup carrotsdash garlic salt

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 tablespoons parsley

2 cups tomatoes

2 tablespoons vinegar Soak lentils 3 hours. Combine remaining ingredients except tomatoes and vinegar and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add tomatoes and vinegar and heat through until hot.

Crock Pot Bean Soup

1 cup navy beans

1 cup lentils

1 cup lima beans

3/4 cup black eyed peas

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

1 tablespoon ham base flavoring

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup grated carrots

1/2 cup celery Place ingredients in 3 1/2 quart crock pot and fill to 1 inch from top with water. No need to soak beans first. Cook on high 7 hours. This is a healthy dish and very tasty.

Taco Bean Soup

2 pounds hamburger, browned and drained

3 cans stewed tomatoes

1 can kidney beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can black beans

1 can whole kernel white corn

2 packages Ranch salad dressing mix

2 packages taco seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups water Bring to a boil and simmer on low for 1 hour. Makes large amount and freezes well.

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We have a recipe request from Jewell Dawalt of Patton. She would like a good recipe for Chocolate Gravy. That would be a wonderful treat over fresh baked biscuits. If you have a favorite recipe for this gravy, please send it in so Jewell can make it.

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Gary Rust of Cape Girardeau is looking for a recipe for Lacey Oatmeal Cookies. His grandmother had the recipe and he hasn't had them in 25 years.

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We also have the request from last week for Butter Pecan Pudding from Dee Walker of Cape Girardeau. I am really hoping someone can find a recipe for this. It sounds great. As we close another week of Recipe Swap, if you have a favorite recipe you traditionally serve for Thanksgiving, please send the recipe in so we can share those for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Have a great week and happy cooking.