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Caramel Apple-Nut Dippers

1/3 C. chopped, unpeeled apple
1/3 C. evaporated milk
1/3 C. granulated sugar
1/3 C. chopped walnuts
Dough:

1/2 C. butter or margarine, softened
1/4 C. confectioners' sugar
1/4 C. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 t. salt
2 C. all-purpose flour
Topping:

1 14-oz. package caramels
2/3 C. evaporated milk
Green toothpicks
1 C. finely chopped walnuts
1) In a small saucepan, combine filling ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened; set aside to cool.
In a bowl, cream butter and sugars.
2) Add egg, vanilla and salt; beat well. Add flour; mix well. Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
Flatten each ball and place 1/4 teaspoon filling in center of each.
3) Fold dough over filling and reshape into balls. Place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 350° F. for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4) In a saucepan over low heat, cook caramels and 2/3 cup evaporated milk, stirring occasionally, until caramels are melted. Insert a toothpick into each cookie and dip into caramel until completely coated. Dip bottoms into nuts. Place on wire racks to set.
Makes about 3 dozen.

EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS
    * 1 large or 2 smaller eggplants, 1 ½ pounds total, peeled and diced
    * 1 tablespoon olive oil
    * 1 large onion, finely chopped
    * 1 teaspoon dried basil
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
    * 1/4 cup wheat germ
    * salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
    * 2 tablespoons olive oil
    * 3 medium green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares
    * 1 ½ cups diced plum tomatoes
    * 3 tablespoons unbleached white flour
    * 3/4 cup soymilk
    * 1 ½ cups grated Mozzarella-style soy "cheese"
    * dash cayenne pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1) Place the diced eggplant in a colander and salt it. Let stand for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Heat the oil in a large skillet.
2) Add the onion and sautee over moderate heat until it begins to turn golden. Add the eggplant and just enough water to keep the bottom of the skillet moist. Cover and cook, stirring frequently. When the eggplant is about half done, stir in the basil and cumin.
Cook until the eggplant is tender, adding small amounts of water as needed while cooking to keep the skillet moist. Stir in the wheat germ and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3) Oil a large, shallow baking casserole and pat the eggplant mixture into it. Rinse the skillet and heat the oil. Add the peppers and sautee over high heat, stirring frequently, until they begin to brown.
Lower the heat, stir in the tomatoes, and sautee for a minute or two, just until they begin to soften. Slowly sprinkle in the flour, stirring until it disappears. Then, slowly, stir in the milk and bring to a simmer. Sprinkle in the cheese, a bit at a time, followed by the cayenne. Let the mixture simmer until thickened and the cheese is completely melted.
4) Pour over the eggplant. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let cool for 10 minutes, then scoop out sections with a spatula to serve.
Makes 6 to 8 servings