Ginger Apple Chicken Stir-Fry

2 teaspoons sesame oil2 garlic cloves, minced2 tablespoons minced ginger root1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips 1/3 pound pea pods1 small sweet red pepper, cut into strips10 shiitake and/or white mushrooms, sliced 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/3 cup applesauce, unsweetened2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar2 tablespoons soy sauce1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/3 cup chicken broth or water2 medium apples, cored and slicedHeat sesame oil in nonstick skillet or wok. Add garlic and ginger, and stir for about 30 seconds. Add chicken and cook in hot oil 4 to 5 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet. Add pea pods, red pepper and mushrooms, and cook, stirring, until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes; sprinkle with pepper.Combine applesauce, vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and chicken broth or water. Add chicken to vegetables, add sauce mixture and sliced apples, and cook until sauce is thickened and clear, about 4 minutes. Serve over steamed brown rice.Serves four.Nutrition values per serving: 340 calories, 16 g fat (5 g saturated), 25 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 25 g protein, 70 mg cholesterol, 670 mg sodium.U.S. Apple Association