A Taste of Autumn
by Kent Villard
iChef.com

Halloween has come and gone and the autumn season is well underway. The warm summer weather has given way to the cooler precursor to winter. It's time to taste the season and all that it offers. 

Autumn fruits and vegetables are on the menu now, apples, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and more. Enjoy these great recipes that are a true 'Taste of Autumn'. 

Orange Glazed Sweet Potatoes
A perfect side dish for poultry

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons butter
½ brown sugar
1 orange, peeled and sectioned
3 cups hot sweet potatoes

In a skillet over low heat melt butter, add sugar and heat until bubbly (about 5 minutes). Add the orange and simmer about 10 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until the orange sections become shiny and the syrup thickens slightly. Spoon sweet potatoes into serving dish and drizzle orange mixture over top. Makes 6 servings 

Cheddar-Apple Pie
Great as an appetizer or dessert

Ingredients:
2 cups apple slices
1 Tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (8-ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 graham cracker pie crust

Combine apples, 1 Tablespoon sugar and cinnamon. Combine cream cheese, remaining sugar and vanilla, mixing at medium speed with an electric mixer. Add egg; mix well. Stir in cheddar cheese. Pour cream cheese mixture into crust. Layer apple slices over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. 

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
Easy way to taste the season

Ingredients:
1 graham cracker crust
1 (3-ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
1 cup milk
1¾ cups canned pumpkin
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon salt
Whipped cream

Mix instant vanilla pudding with milk. Fold in pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Pour into graham cracker crust. Chill; serve with whipped cream. 

Apricot Chicken
Full of sweet-sour taste

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken or boneless chicken breasts
1 bottle Russian dressing
1 large jar apricot jelly
1 package onion soup mix

Arrange chicken pieces in single layer in baking dish. Blend dressing, jelly and soup mix. Pour over chicken and bake at 350° for 1 hour. 

Apple Basting Sauce
Great for the grill

Ingredients:
1 cup applesauce
¾ chili sauce
¼ red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon basil
Pepper to taste
Dash garlic powder
Dash salt

Blend all ingredients. Grill chicken or hamburgers partially before basting with sauce. Makes about 2 cups. 

Hot Autumn Cider
Wonderfully comforting on a chilly day

Ingredients:
1 quart water
2 cups sugar
4 cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
2 cups orange juice
2 quarts apple cider

Boil water and sugar for 10 minutes. Add cloves and cinnamon sticks. Let mull for 1 hour (sit without heat). Add orange juice and cider. Heat and serve. 

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