Type what you have

Ingredients

• ✓ firm apple
• egg noodle
• cream cheese
• brown sugar
• cottage cheese
• egg
• egg white
• vanilla extract
• cinnamon
• nutmeg

Instructions

1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan.
2. 2 Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 5 minutes. Drain.
3. 3 Beat cream cheese and brown sugar together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy; beat in cottage cheese, egg, egg whites, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined. Fold noodles and apples into cheese mixture by hand; spread into the prepared pan.
4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until kugel is lightly browned and firm, 45 to 50 minutes.

By northern exposure

Ingredients

• ✓ firm apple
• vegetable oil
• olive oil
• onion
• turkey sausage
• potato
• vegetable oil
• olive oil
• ketchup
• mustard
• sage
• thyme leaves
• parsley
• salt
• black pepper

Instructions

1. 1 Heat 2 Tbs. oil over low heat in a 12-inch non-stick skillet (so potatoes don't stick). While skillet heats, prepare onion and Italian sausage as directed above. A few minutes before cooking, increase heat to medium-high. When oil starts to send up wisps of smoke, add onion and sausage; cook, stirring often, until golden brown. Meanwhile, dice potatoes and apples and toss with remaining oil. Transfer sausage mixture to a bowl and reserve.
2. 2 Add potato mixture to empty skillet; cook, stirring only occasionally so they form a golden-brown crust, about 10 minutes. As potatoes cook, mix ketchup, mustard, dried sage and fresh parsley and 2 Tbs. of water. (Recipe can be prepared to this point up to 2 hours ahead. Spread hot potatoes on a large lipped cookie sheet; cover when cool. Return skillet to medium-high; add potatoes and re-crisp.)
3. 3 Return reserved sausage mixture to skillet; stir in ketchup mixture, then season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until hash has nicely browned, about 5 minutes longer.

By USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson