A MILLION REASONS TO BAKE

PUMPKIN RAVIOLI WITH SALTED CARAMEL WHIPPED CREAM Ø

Makes 24.

Note: The $1 million grand prize-winning recipe came from Christina Verrelli of Devon, Pa, who won the Sweet Treats category as well.

• 4 tbsp. butter, melted, divided

• 2 (3-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 c. canned pumpkin (not the pie filling)

• 1 egg yolk

• 1/4 c. sugar

• 5 tbsp. flour, divided

• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

• 1/3 c. pecans, finely chopped

• 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (seamless sheets)

• 1/8 tsp. salt

• 5 tbsp. caramel syrup, divided

• 4 tbsp. cinnamon sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush 2 large cookie sheets with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and pumpkin with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until smooth. Add egg yolk, vanilla, sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and pumpkin pie spice; beat on low speed until blended. Reserve 4 teaspoons of the pecans; set aside. Stir remaining pecans into pumpkin mixture.

Spoon heaping tablespoon of pumpkin filling onto center of each square. Gently lift and position unscored half of dough over filling. Starting at the top folded edge, press handle of wooden spoon firmly between mounds and along edges of pumpkin filling to seal.

Using toothpick, poke small hole in top of each ravioli. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut between each ravioli; place 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon flour, dough sheet and filling. Brush ravioli with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter. Bake 9 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.

Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat cream and salt with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in 2 tablespoons caramel syrup until stiff peaks form. Transfer to serving bowl; cover and refrigerate.

Remove ravioli from oven. Sprinkle ravioli with 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar; turn. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.

To serve, place 2 ravioli on each of 12 dessert plates. Drizzle each serving with scant teaspoon of the caramel syrup; sprinkle with reserved chopped pecans. With spoon, swirl remaining 1 tablespoon caramel syrup into bowl of whipped cream. Serve warm ravioli with whipped cream.

Calories380Fat25 gSodium440 mg

Carbohydrates35 gSaturated fat13 gProtein4 gCholesterol70 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 1/2 bread/starch, 1 other carb, 4 1/2 fat.

INDONESIAN CHICKEN TURNOVERS WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Makes 8 (2-turnover) servings.

• 8 tbsp. canola oil, divided

• 3/4 c. finely chopped onions

• 2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken

• 1 tbsp. curry powder

• 3/4 tsp. garlic powder

• 1 (6-oz.) can pineapple juice

• 1/4 c. canned crushed pineapple

• 1/4 c. raisins

• 1 tbsp. shredded coconut

• 2 tbsp. coarsely chopped bread-and-butter pickles (not pickle relish)

• 1/4 c. creamy peanut butter

• 2 tbsp. soy sauce

• 2 tbsp. sugar

• 2 tsp. white vinegar

• 1tbsp. finely chopped green onion with top

In 10-inch skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the onions; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onions are softened. Add chicken, curry powder, garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, raisins, coconut and pickles. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.

Preheat oven to 350 degress. Unroll both cans of crescent dough; separate dough into 8 rectangles. Firmly press perforations to seal. Press each piece of dough into 7- by 31/2-inch rectangle.

Cut each rectangle crosswise into 2 squares. Place about 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture onto center of each square; fold dough in half diagonally to form a triangle. With fork, seal edges. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 11 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, combine peanut butter, remaining 5 tablespoons oil, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, remaining 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and green onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with wire whisk, or until thoroughly heated.

To serve, place 2 turnovers on each of 8 plates. Drizzle each turnover with 1 teaspoon of the sauce. Serve with remaining sauce. Sprinkle turnovers with additional chopped green onion, if desired.

Calories510Fat33 gSodium900 mg

Carbohydrates37 gSaturated fat7 g

Protein15 gCholesterol35 mgDietary fiber1 g

Diabetic exchanges: 1 1/2 bread/starch, 1 other carb, 1 1/2 lean meat, 5 1/2 fat.

SALMON CRESCENT SUSHI ROLLS º

Note: Roll up salmon and rice in crescent dough to create an appetizer to dip in classic sushi toppers. This recipe, from Julie McIntire of Independence, Mo., won the GE Imagination at Work Award.

• 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (seamless sheets)

• 8 oz. salmon fillet (about 5- by 3- by 3/4 inches), skin removed

• 3/4 c. cooked white rice

• 3 tbsp. sesame seeds

• 3/4 tsp. wasabi paste

• 3 tsp. soy sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Unroll dough sheet; press into 10- by 14-inch rectangle. Cut dough in half lengthwise.

Cut salmon lengthwise into 6 pieces. To make each roll, spoon half of rice evenly down 1 long edge of each dough piece in a 1-inch strip to within 1/4 inch of edge. Place 3 pieces salmon evenly over rice, overlapping salmon to fit if necessary. Starting at long side topped with salmon, roll up; pinch seam to seal. Sprinkle sesame seed on ungreased cookie sheet; roll and press each log in sesame seed to coat. Place rolls, seam side down, on cookie sheet.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories60Fat4 gSodium125 mg

Carbohydrates6 gSaturated fat1 g

Protein3 gCholesterol5 mgDietary fiber0 g

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1/2 bread/starch, 1/2 fat.

Serves 8.

Note: Start with crescents. Pile on the sausage, tomatoes, two cheeses and eggs. Bake and voila! You've got brunch. From Maria Vasseur, of Valencia, Calif., winner of the Breakfast & Brunches category.

• 1 (12-oz.) pkg. bulk reduced-fat pork breakfast sausage

• 1/3 c. refrigerated basil pesto

• 1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls

• 1/3 c. crumbled feta cheese

• 1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

• 6 eggs

• 2 tbsp. milk

• 3 tbsp. shredded fresh basil leaves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage 6 to 8 minutes over medium heat or until no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in pesto. Set aside to cool.

Unroll crescent dough into 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish. Press dough in bottom and 1/2-inch up sides. Press perforations to seal. Spoon sausage into dough-lined dish. Sprinkle tomatoes and feta cheese over sausage. Top with mozzarella cheese.

In medium bowl, beat eggs and milk with wire whisk until well blended. Pour egg mixture evenly over ingredients in dish.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until dough is golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh basil.

Nutrition information per serving:

Carbohydrates16 gSaturated fat9 g

Protein20 gCholesterol205 mgDietary fiber0 g