Walnut Apple Crescents

2 small Red Delicious apples, rinsed, dried

1/4 cup apple juice

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

1/3 cup shelled walnuts, coarsely chopped

Orange peel strips and walnut halves to garnish

Remove the apple core, keeping apples whole.  Cut each apple in half lengthwise.  Each half will have a tubular-shape hollow along the center.

In a small saucepan, combine apple juice, grated orange peel, walnuts and dates.  Bring to a boil, then simmer 2 to 3 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed.  Cool slightly, then fill apple hollows with walnut mixture.

Wrap each apple half in a double thickness of foil.  Cook on a rack over high heat about 30 minutes or until apples are tender, turning occasionally.  Garnish with orange peel strips and walnuts.  Serves 4.

Potato Crisps

2 ( 8 oz. ) baking potatoes, peeled

1/4 cup cooking oil

Carefully cut potatoes in paper thin slices lengthwise, following curve of potato.

Immediately plunge potato slices into hot salted water.   Stir to separate, then let stand 3 to 4 minutes or until pliable.  Carefully coil each potato slice, then thread onto skewers, leaving at least 1/2-inch space between coils.

Brush potato coils with oil.  Cook on a rack over hot coals 10 to 15 minutes or until potato coils are crisp, turning frequently.  Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.   Serves 8 to 10.

Pineapple with Vodka

3 tablespoons vodka

4 ( 3/4-inch-thick ) pineapple slices

1/3 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

12 sour black cherries

Additional powdered sugar

Pineapple leaves to garnish

Pour vodka into a shallow dish.  Add pineapple slices, turning over to coat.  Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.  Add pineapple slices, turning over to coat.  Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.

Melt butter in a small saucepan.  Stir in whipping cream, cardamom and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

Dip pineapple slices into butter mixture.   Cook on a rack over high heat for 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.  Place on heated plates.  Fill pineapple centers with cherries and dust-lightly with additional powdered sugar.  Garnish with pineapple leaves.  Serves 4.