Sweet Potato Pie

2 sweet potatoes, about 10 ounces each
2 large eggs
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Wrap the sweet potatoes tightly in 2 layers of aluminum foil and roast them in the oven until very soft, about 1 hour and 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Unwrap the potatoes and peel them. Put the flesh into a bowl and mash well with a fork. Add the eggs, 1/2 cup brown sugar, cream, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla and whip until very smooth with a whisk. Pour the filling into the partially baked crust. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon brown sugar over top and bake in the center of the oven until set, about 40 minutes.

Allow the pie to cool completely before cutting. Serve at room temperature.

Linda Patten

"O Henry Bars"

4 cups oatmeal (instant is best)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup melted margarine
1 (12 oz) package chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
1 cup chunky or smooth peanut butter

Stir together thoroughly first four ingredients and press into greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake about 15 minutes in 350 degree oven. Allow to cool and then frost with the chocolate chips and peanut butter which have been melted together. These are best when refrigerated.

Julie Nebeker

Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix - the darker the better :-)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
4 eggs

Mix for 2 minutes. Stir in 12 oz chocolate chips. Grease bundt pan well - either with flour or cocoa (I prefer the cocoa).
Cook 1 hr at 350 degrees. Cool 10 - 15 minutes on rack then turn out on another rack. Sprinkle top with powdered sugar when cool or drizzle chocolate sauce over top of cake.

Julie Nebeker

Vegetarian Chili

1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can mild chilies (instead I use a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies for this and the next ingredient)
1 cup tomato sauce/or diced tomatoes
1 cup fresh chopped salsa (any jar of salsa that I have at home)
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp chopped garlic

Combine in large pot and cook over medium heat.
(1 cup = 1 point in the Weight Watchers Program)

Julie Nebeker

Taco Junk

1 lb ground turkey
onions
1 can tomatoes (I use a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies for this)
1 can beans (your preference - I use one can of dark kidney beans and one can of light kidney beans)
1 cup corn (I use sweet whole kernel/no salt)
1 package taco flavoring (I try to find reduced sodium packets)
1 package fat-free ranch dressing (Hidden Ranch)

Cook turkey and onions. Mix together remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat.
Even though this looks more like chili some of our family (non dieters) have used this as a dip with chips, or over chips with all of the makings for a taco salad. For those of you familiar with the Weight Watchers program, 1 cup = 2 points.

Julie Nebeker

Healthy Living: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup with Chorizo

1 lb bag split peas
10 cups chicken broth
1/2 lb diced chorizo
1 1/2 cups carrots
1 cup shallots
1 cup celery
1 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
salt & pepper

Add it all to a slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

Chris Bowman