Saturday mornings are perfect for slowing things down and gathering the family together for great conversation over a delicious meal. Welcome the weekend with a mid-morning brunch around the kitchen table, featuring apples and processed apple foods center of the plate.

Draft some kitchen help and you can involve the whole family in developing healthy eating habits. Ask the kids to help sprinkle cinnamon on the baked apples, and keep the apple juice cool with frozen, cut-up apple “cubes.” Cut a couple of apples into cubes the night before and pop them in the freezer so they will be ready to keep your drinks cold by morning. You are sure to dazzle the entire family with these great-tasting apple recipes. After a healthfully hearty meal and quality time with the family, everyone will be ready to enjoy the weekend.

Apple Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
1 cup apples, peeled and grated

Directions:
1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and nutmeg in mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix baking soda, egg, butter, vanilla, and milk.
3. Combine both mixtures stirring only until blended. Fold in grated apple.
4. Bake on hot, lightly greased griddle.
5. When batter is full of holes, turn to brown on other side. Turn pancakes only once while cooking. Makes 7 eight-inch pancakes.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 197; protein, 5 g; carbohydrates, 31 g; dietary fiber, 5 g; fat, 4 g; cholesterol, 38 mg; sodium, 189 mg; 18% calories from fat.

Ingredients:
1 cup liquid egg substitute, thawed if frozen
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup grated unpeeled apples
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup cubed low-fat cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Lightly beat egg substitute with honey in a small bowl. Stir in the grated apples.
2. Heat butter in a skillet; when butter foams, add the egg mixture and cheese cubes.
3. Stir a few times until eggs are cooked, about 3 minutes. Makes 2 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 212; protein, 19 g; carbohydrates, 9 g; dietary fiber, 1 g; fat, 11 g; cholesterol, 22 mg; sodium, 382 mg; 47% calories from fat.

Ingredients:
3 cups diced or sliced apples
2 cups plain, low-fat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons brown sugar if apples are tart

Directions:
1. Cook the apples in 1/2 cup water 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft.
2. Reserve one cup and put rest into blender with one cup yogurt, vanilla, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Blend very briefly.
3. Mix all ingredients together. Makes 1 quart.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 148; protein, 7 g; carbohydrates, 25 g; dietary fiber, 3 g; fat, 2 g; cholesterol, 8 mg; sodium, 87 mg; 12% calories from fat.

Ingredients:
1 pound Lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 24-ounce container low-fat cottage cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 tart apples, cored, peeled, and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups raisins (optional)
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions:
1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Separate noodles on waxed paper.
2. In food processor or blender, puree the cottage cheese and mix in vanilla and salt. Mix cinnamon with apples. Mix raisins into applesauce.
3. Spray 9- x 13-inch baking dish with vegetable cooking spray. Starting with lasagna, layer lasagna, applesauce mixture, cottage cheese mixture, and apples, ending with a layer of lasagna. Top with cheddar cheese.
4. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and cheese is bubbly. Serve hot or cold, or reheat in microwave. Makes 16 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 273; protein, 10 g; carbohydrates, 49 g; dietary fiber, 5 g; fat, 4 g; cholesterol, 11 mg; sodium, 264 mg; 13% calories from fat.

Ingredients:
1 quart boiling water
3 tea bags
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups 100% apple juice or cider
Cinnamon sticks

Directions:
1. Add tea bags to boiling water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Remove tea bags. Stir in sugar until dissolved.
3. Add apple juice and reheat. Pour into mugs. Add a stick of cinnamon to each. Makes 6 servings.

Approximate Nutritional Analysis (per serving): calories, 75; protein, 0 g; carbohydrates, 19 g; dietary fiber, 0 g; fat, 0 g; cholesterol, 0 mg; sodium, 7 mg; 0% calories from fat.