Baked Acorn Squash

2 acorn squash, halved and de-seeded
1 lb. Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
2 t. olive oil
1/4 t. sea salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 c. roasted, shelled pistachios, coarsely chopped
1 granny smith apple, diced
2 t. olive oil
2 t. fresh squeezed orange juice
2 t. red wine vinegar
2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
10 mint leaves, finely chopped
4 sprigs thyme, finely chopped
1/4 t. sea salt
1/4 t. pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place squash, cut side up, on baking sheet. Rub with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 30-35 minutes or until fork tender. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Scoop squash flesh out of shell (leaving a thin layer in shell). Place squash in bowl and add remaining ingredients. Divide filling among squash shells. Preheat broiler in oven. Place squash under broiler for about 3 minutes until top is golden. Serve.

Churro Popcorn

3 bags microwave popcorn, popped, unpopped kernals removed
3/4 c. cinnamon chips
3-1/2 T. butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. sugar
1-1/2 t. cinnamon

Stir together sugars and cinnamon. Set aside. Melt cinnamon chips with butter. Drizzle over popcorn. Sprinkle sugar mixture over all and stir together until well coated.

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

3-4 bags kettle corn, popped, any unpopped kernals removed
24 crushed oreos
1 bag white chocolate chips

Mix the cookies with the popcorn in a large bowl. Melt the chocolate chips. Pour over popcorn and stir well until it's all coated. Pour into a single layer on a sheet pan until cool. Break apart.

Kayla's Fresh Salsa

12 roma tomatoes
1 T. chopped purple onion
1-2 jalapeños
2 garlic cloves
1/2 bunch of cilantro
lots of garlic powder and salt to taste

Chop cilantro, garlic, and onion in a food processor. Cut the tomatoes in fourth's. Add half of them and pulse. Add the rest of the tomatoes, garlic powder, and salt. Serve with chips!

Chicken Pesto Sandwich

For Sandwich:

2 c. shredded chicken
1/4 c. greek yogurt
kosher salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
1 baguette, cut into 3-4 equal pieces, toasted lightly
2 c. arugula or spinach leaves
2 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
8 oz. mozzarella, sliced

For Pesto:

1 c. fresh basil leaves
3 cloves garlic, peeled
3 T. pine nuts
1/3 c. grated parmesan
kosher salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/3 c. olive oil

To make the pesto, combine basil, garlic, pine nuts, and cheese in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper. With the motor running, add oil in a slow stream until emulsified. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 c. pesto, yogurt, salt, and pepper. Spoon onto baguette pieces. Top with arugula, tomatoes, and mozzarella.

Chicken Marinade

1/4 c. cider vinegar
3 T. coarse grind mustard
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 c. brown sugar
1-1/2 t. salt
6 T. olive oil
pepper to taste
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Mix all and add chicken. Marinate up to 2 days. Discard marinade and grill.

Water Punch

5 quarts cold water
3 c. sugar
1 T. citric acid
1 T. lemon extract
Lemon and lime slices
Lots of ice

Combine all in a drink dispenser.