Apple Pie Filling

Paula Deen's apple pie recipe turned out the tastiest apple pie I've ever made.  I shouldn't be surprised!  I only used her recipe for the filling.

7 apples, peeled and sliced thin
Lemon juice
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour (whole wheat worked)
3/4 tsp cinnamon
Nutmeg (I just sprinkled some in)
3 tablespoons butter
Egg wash
Sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling

Mix the apples with lemon juice, brown sugar, flour and spices.  Put in pie shell.  For with butter.  Lattice on the top crust, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.  Bake at 450 for 45 minutes.  I cooked my pie longer than 45 minutes because I don't like the apples crunchy, so I loosely put foil over it and tested it every now and then until it was done.

Pie Crust

The only whole wheat pie crust I've had luck with...the next time I make it I should try butter.

For one crust, cut 1/2 cup palm shortening into 1 1/3 cups soft white whole wheat flour and 3/4 tsp salt.  Add 3-4 tablespoons cold water until it easily sticks together.  Roll it (with flour to prevent stickiness) and assemble.  If you need to bake it, prick it with a fork and stick it in at 425 for about 7 minutes.

Lazy White Bean Chicken Chili

Not guaranteed the tastiest but I like it for when I don't have chicken broth and when I want to do minimal work.

1.5 lbs chicken
1/2 cup onion, chopped
Few cloves minced garlic
4 cups water
1 tsp cumin
1.5 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili powder
2 cans white beans (or a few cups home-cooked)

Throw chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.  Sauté onions and garlic until cooked, then put those over the chicken.  Pour in the water and spices.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Shred the chicken.  A little before serving through in the white beans.  You can blend up some of the beans with the liquid if you want it "creamy."  Serve alone or with chips, avocado, sour cream, lime, cilantro, cheese (duh), tortilla strips, etc.

Serves 6.