Food sure is fun — it’s a centerpiece as we share meals and toast to good times with family and friends.

In our upcoming March-April issue, due on news racks soon, we share ways to better our food experiences at home, complete with tips and recipes from three expert catering chefs to bring you a full menu of fun for your very own special occasions.

Here’s a recipe sneak preview:  

Apple Purses, aka Dessert Empanadas

2 apples

1/4 cup butter

2 tablespoons honey

1 cup goat cheese

2 teaspoons green cardamom

zest of 2 lemons

1 sheet puff pastry

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

On a flat surface, dust pastry sheets with flour, and roll out into desired shapes; set aside. Dice apple, sauté in butter on medium/high heat till you get a little color, set aside to cool.

Combine goat cheese, honey, lemon zest and cardamom. Whisk egg and water together, and set aside.

Brush the edges of the cutout pastry sheets with egg mixture, place some apple mixture and the goat cheese mixture in the middle, fold pastry over mixture and crimp the edges.

Brush the outside with the egg mixture and bake at 425 till golden. Serves 6. Recipe by Green Planet Catering Executive Chef Christi Preddy.

Enjoy! And look for more recipes in the upcoming issue … including sweet spring treats from a professional Garner baker!

Green Planet Catering, Raleigh

(919) 832-6767

greenplanetcatering.com

Event note: Garner’s 23^rd annual Health Fair will be held on March 6 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Garner Senior Center. Offerings include health information and screenings, community resources information, door prizes and giveaways. FREE!