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Ok everyone! Let's get ready for Miami in style. I don't expect there will be many of you tailgating at an away game so I thought we would share some recipes this week for the indoor Cowboy watching parties.

BLT PASTA SALAD

2 cups uncooked pasta
5 green onions, finely chopped
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1.3 to 1/2 c. finely diced red pepper
1-1/4 cups good mayonnaise (I use Hellmann's)
5 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 or more tsp pepper
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled (set aside)

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In large bowl, combine the pasta, onions, tomatoes, and celery. In small bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, & pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Just before serving, add bacon.

SMOKED SAUSAGE POTATO PACKETS

4 (18 x 12-inch) sheets heavy duty aluminum foil
1 (14 to 16 ounce) package turkey smoked
sausage, cut in 1/4-inch slices
1 1/3 pound (4 medium) potatoes, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium green bell pepper, cubed
1 (27 3/4 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat oven to 450 degrees F or set grill to medium-high. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Combine sausage, potatoes, green pepper, spaghetti sauce, salt (if desired) and pepper. Center one-fourth of mixture on each sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil. Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Repeat to make four packets. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes on a cookie sheet in oven or grill for 18 to 22 minutes in covered grill.

This week we're adding desserts! ....

UPSIDE DOWN APPLE PIE

In the bottom of a 9inch glass pie plate combine
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 TBS light corn syrup
1 to 2 TBS melted butter
Spread this evenly over the bottom of the pie plate.
Top with a few pecan halves, for decoration on the top of your pie.

Place 1 pie crust over sugar mixture in the pie plate.

Peel and slice 5 apples (I use Granny Smith) enough to make about 4 1/2 cups of apples.

Sprinkle with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar combined with 2 TBS flour, 2 to 3 tsp cinnamon, and a sprinkle of allspice.

Place in the pie plate and cover with another pie crust. Crimp the two crust together to make a pretty edge. Make 2 or 3 slits in the top.

Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, lower heat to 350 and bake another 35 minutes or until top crust is a golden brown.

As soon as you remove from oven invert onto a serving platter.