Recipes by Loretta Lynn: Apple Turnovers; Butternut Chewies; Crispy Fried Chicken; Dumplings; Gooey Cake; Tomato-Cheese Pie

Loretta Lynn's Apple Turnovers

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups shortening
5 to 6 tablespoons water
1 (20 to 22 ounce) can prepared apple pie filling
Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Cut in shortening. Sprinkle dough with water a tablespoon at a time, until just enough has been added so dough can be patted into a ball. On a floured surface, roll half of dough into a 10 x 15-inch rectangle. Cut into 5-inch squares. Repeat with other half of dough. Place about 2 tablespoons of fruit filling in each square. Fold over one half of pastry to form a triangle. Seal edges firmly with a fork. Prick top with fork. Bake on ungreased baking sheets for 12 to 15 minutes. Cool slightly; sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Loretta Lynn's Butternut Chewies

1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco, melted
2 eggs
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.

Beat eggs until light and foamy in large bowl of electric mixer. Beat in sugar, vanilla extract and Crisco until creamy.

Combine flour with baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture. Mix at low speed until blended. Stir in nuts at low speed (mixture will be stiff). Spread evenly in pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is light brown. Cool 10 to 15 minutes. Cut into squares.

Loretta Lynn's Crispy Fried Chicken

Chicken:
One (2 1/2 to 3 pound) chicken, cut up

Seasoned Flour:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Crispy Batter:
2/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 beaten egg yolk
3/4 cups water

Seasoned Flour: Combine and set aside.

Crispy Batter: Combine all ingredients.

Heat Crisco to 365 degrees F.

Moisten chicken pieces. Dip in seasoned flour, then batter, then back in seasoned flour. Fry for 15 to 18 minutes or until well browned. Drain on paper towels. Makes 4 servings.

Loretta Lynn's Dumplings

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon (optional)
1 chicken, cooked, off the bone with 2 cups broth

Add enough milk to the flour, eggs, baking powder and salt to make a stiff dough. Roll out a little thicker than a pie crust. Cut into squares and drop in boiling broth. Cook 10 minutes with lid on.

Loretta Lynn's Gooey Cake

1 box German chocolate cake mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup Cool Whip
3 Heath candy bars, frozen
1 jar caramel topping

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using a 13 x 9-inch cake pan. While warm, poke holes halfway into cake about 1 inch apart. Pour sweetened condensed milk into holes. Pour caramel topping over cake and refrigerate.

When cool, top with Cool Whip and crushed Heath candy. Refrigerate overnight before serving.

Loretta Lynn's Tomato-Cheese Pie

Pastry:
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Crisco
3 tablespoons water

Filling:
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 pound mushrooms, chopped and sautéed
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/4 cup canned salmon, flaked
3 to 4 tomatoes, wedged
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Salt and pepper

Pastry: Mix pastry and roll out on floured board. Line a 9-inch pie plate.

Filling: Combine Cheddar, mozzarella, ricotta, chopped onions, mushrooms and salmon. Spoon into pie shell. Arrange tomato wedges on top in a tight overlapping circular pattern. Sprinkle with herbs, salt and pepper. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Cool 15 minutes before serving.