This year, at-home cooks will be harvesting the flavor of apples in a new wave of ethnic cuisine. Apples are, after all, a favorite food worldwide. Around the globe, people are dishing up apples in the most authentic ways. As all-American as they are, apples are just as delicious with an ethnic flare – and just as nutritious. So get creative in your kitchen and explore the world of apples.

For a fun and healthy gathering with friends, plan an “Around the World With Apples” dinner party featuring apples center of the plate in dishes from around the globe. You can even dress, decorate, and play music in theme. No matter what’s going on in your life, food, and friends – and a menu full of healthy apples – will make you and your guests feel great.

Try some of the following recipes for a worldwide dinner party experience: MEXICAN

Apple Sangria Slush

Ingredients:
1 cup applesauce (use a fruit mix such as applesauce and peaches)
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
Juice of 1 lemon
Honey
1 1/2 cups dry red wine

Directions:
1. Mix ingredients, using honey to sweeten if desired. Freeze for 2 hours.
2. Stir again, and serve in goblets with a sprig of mint and a wedge of orange. Makes 8 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 30; protein, 0 g; carbohydrates, 7 g; dietary fiber, 0 g; fat, 0 g; cholesterol, 0 mg; sodium, 4 mg; 0% calories from fat.

Ingredients:
Salsa:
2 cups apples, halved, cored, and chopped
3/4 cup (1 large) Anaheim chili pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Marinade:
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lime peel
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Directions:
1. Combine salsa ingredients and mix well; allow flavors to blend about 1/2 hour. Serve over or alongside grilled chicken. Makes 3 cups salsa.
2. For grilled chicken, combine marinade ingredients and pour over chicken breasts. Marinate for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and grill over medium-hot coals, turning once, until chicken tests done. Makes 4 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 214; protein, 41 g; carbohydrates, 20 g; dietary fiber, 2 g; fat, 4 g; cholesterol, 66 mg; sodium, 334 mg; 17% calories from fat.

Apple Halibut Kabobs

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry white wine (chicken broth can be substituted)
4 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 apple, cored and cut in 1-inch cubes
1 medium green or sweet red pepper, cut in 1-inch squares and separated
1 small onion, cut in 1-inch squares and separated
1 pound halibut, cut in 1 to 1 1/2-inch cubes

Directions:
1. Combine wine, oil, lime juice, chopped onion, salt, thyme, and pepper; mix well. Marinate remaining ingredients in mixture 1 to 2 hours.
2. Thread apple, pepper, onion, and halibut on four 12-inch or longer metal or bamboo skewers.
3. Broil or grill 4 to 5 inches from heat 6 to 8 minutes or until fish flakes when tested with fork. Serve warm or cold. Makes 4 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 198; protein, 26 g; carbohydrates, 11 g; dietary fiber, 2 g; fat, 6 g; cholesterol, 60 mg; sodium, 365 mg; 27% calories from fat.

Chicken Teriyapple

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
4 spring onions cut into 1-inch strips
1/3 pound Chinese pea pods
1 small sweet red pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
10 mushrooms, sliced
Pepper to taste
1/3 cup applesauce, unsweetened
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/3 cup chicken broth or water

Directions:
1. Heat sesame oil in nonstick skillet or wok. Dice chicken into bite-size pieces and cook in hot oil. Remove chicken from skillet.
2. Add vegetables and cook while stirring until tender crisp; sprinkle with pepper.
3. Combine applesauce, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch, and chicken broth or water. Add chicken to vegetables, add sauce mixture, and cook until sauce is thickened and clear. Serve over steamed brown rice. Makes 4 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 227; protein, 30 g; carbohydrates, 13 g; dietary fiber, 3 g; fat, 6 g; cholesterol, 72 mg; sodium, 638 mg; 24% calories from fat.

Apple Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:
1 pound cubed boneless, skinless, chicken breast
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup onion, vertically sliced
1 cup (2 medium) carrots, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1 cup fresh or frozen Chinese pea pods
1 tablespoon water
1 medium apple, cored and thinly sliced
2 cups cooked rice

Directions:
1. Stir-fry cubed chicken breast in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in nonstick skillet until lightly browned and cooked. Remove from skillet.
2. Stir-fry onion, carrots, and basil in oil in same skillet until carrots are tender.
3. Stir in pea pods and water; stir-fry 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in apple. Add to chicken, serve hot over cooked rice. Makes 4 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 365; protein, 30 g; carbohydrates, 33 g; dietary fiber, 3 g; fat, 9 g; cholesterol, 62 mg; sodium, 71 mg; 22% calories from fat.