Lo mein dish: Chow mein - with a twist

If you appreciate easy meals yet like to try recipes that are a bit unusual, you will want to try Wok Steak Lo Mein.

It reminds me of chow mein but is different in that you toss the cooked vegetables with cooked spaghetti. If you have access to venison, venison steak can easily be substituted for the round steak.

Yummy Wok Steak Lo Mein

Serving size: 6

1 pound round steak, trimmed

2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cups cabbage, shredded

1 cup diagonally sliced carrots, partially cooked

1 medium onion, sliced into rings

1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup diagonally sliced celery

1/3 cup green onion, sliced

15 snow pea pods, fresh, trimmed

8 ounces sliced water chestnuts, drained

4 ounces thin spaghetti, cooked and drained

Freeze steak just until firm; slice diagonally across grain into 1/4-inch strips. Combine bouillon, water, soy sauce and cornstarch. Set aside. In a wok or large skillet, heat oil on medium-high. Add meat and garlic; stir-fry until meat is no longer pink, about five minutes. Remove meat to a platter. Add cabbage, carrots, onion, mushrooms, celery and green onions; stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Add pea pods and water chestnuts; stir fry 2 minutes. Add meat. Stir bouillon mixture and pour into skillet; cook and stir until thickened. Gently toss in spaghetti and heat through for one minute.

Delicious Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups canned or cooked pumpkin

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 cup water

2 eggs

1 2/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, water and eggs; beat well. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts, if desired. Pour into a greased 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 65-70 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool 10 minutes in pan before removing from wire rack. Yield: 1 loaf.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup applesauce

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1 cup quick cooking oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, cream applesauce and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture alternately with pumpkin. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoons onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.

GARY'S TIP: To remove plastic wrapping accidentally stuck to a hot toaster or iron, allow appliance to cool, then rub petroleum jelly over the plastic. Reheat the appliance and rub with a paper towel until the plastic is removed.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Never switch to a shorter checkout line if you're in a hurry.