Apple Walnut Rice Stuffing

2 tbs margarine or butter
1/2 cup each chopped celery and chopped onion
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 tart apples, chopped
1 1/2 cups minute original rice, uncooked
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 tbsp chopped parsley

Melt margarine in large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add celery, onion and poultry seasoning; cook and stir until onion is tender. Add broth, bright ot boil.

Stir in apples, rice and cinnamon; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 mintues. Stir in walnuts and parsley.

Makes 8 servings.

Onion Rings

nonstick vegetable cooking spray
1 large onion
1 1/4 cups italian style bread crumbs
1/2 tsp bottled minced garlic
1 cup low fat milk
1 cup all purpose flour
3 large egg whites, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 400'. Spray 2 large cookie sheets with nonstick spray.
2. Cut onion into 1/2 inch slices. Seperate slices into rings
3. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and garlic. Set aside.
4. Place milk, flour and egg whites into 3 seperate small bowls. Dip each onion rin into milk, flour, eggwihte and bread crumbs (in that order).
5. Place on prepared cookie sheets and bake for 20 mintues. Turn onion rings over and bake until golden brown, about 10 mintues longer.

Avocado and Grapefruit Salad

4 pink grapefruit
4 avacoados
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tbsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper
1/3 cup oilive oil
8 whole boston lettuce leaves
1 tbsp chopped chives

Peel a grapefruit, cutting away as much pith as possible. Over a bowl, cut flesh away from membranes and allow fruit to fall into bowl. Repeat with remaining grapefruit.
Halve avocados lengthwise and remove pits. Scoop out flesh with a spoon. With a stainless-steel knife, cut avocado lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick slices. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp lime juice to keep from turning brown.
Whisk 2 tbsp lime juice with mustard, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil.
Place lettuce leaves flat on a platter. Arrange grapefruit segments and avocado on top. Drizzle salad with dressing, sprinkle with chives and serve.

Green Beans with Provolone Cheese

1 lb green beans, preferably romano pole beans
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
8 oz provolone cheese, cut into 1/4 inch dice

Cook beans in a large saucepan of boiling salted water 5 mintues; beans will still be crisp. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well.

In a large frying pan, cook garlic in oilive oil over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Add beans to pan and stir to coat with oil. Add water to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, 3-4 mintues, or until crisp tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Remove pan from heat. Add provolone to hot beans and toss. Serve immediatley.

Spicy Marinated Olives

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbs red wine vinegar
1 tsp hot pepepr flakes
3-4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 lb black olives

In a medium bowl, whisk oil and vinegar to blend. Toss with all ingredients. Marinate in refrigerator at least 24 hours or up to 2 weeks. Serve at room temperature.

Pasta Salad

1 package (12 oz) uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
6 oz thinly sliced hard salami, juliendded
6 oz provolone cheese, cubed
1 can (2 1/4 oz)sliced ripe olives, drained
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 small zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 gralic clove, minced
1 1/2 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
dash pepper
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges

Cook the pasta according to package directions;rinse in cold water and drain. Place in a large bowl; add the next nine ingredients.
In a jar with tightfitting lid, combine oil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, basil, oregano, salt and pepper; shake well. Pour over salad; toss to coat.
Cover and chill for 8 hours or overnight. Toss before serving. Garnish with tomatoes.

Makes 10-12 servings