I really, really like homemade applesauce. And so do the kids. For years I labored under the delusion that it was hard to make, but now I know the truth! Let me share it with you, so that you may enjoy homemade applesauce goodness of your own. Here's the secret: get thee a food mill. Then you don't have to worry about all of that peeling and coring.
Applesauce
8-10 tart apples, washed (We're looking for middle-of-the-road apples here. Not Delicious, not Granny Smith. Whatever is growing locally right now.)
water
dark brown sugar (optional)
lemon juice (optional)
cinnamon (optional)
Wash the apples and cut them into chunks. Put them in a pan with enough water to just cover the bottom of the pan. Simmer, covered, for about 15-20 minutes, until the apples are soft. Run the apples through the food mill over a clean bowl. Discard the seeds and peels left in the mill. Taste the applesauce, and add a tiny bit (1-2 teaspoons) of dark brown sugar if desired. If the applesauce isn't tart enough, add a shot of lemon juice. Stir cinnamon into the applesauce or serve with cinnamon on top if desired.
Of course, you can always peel and core the apples before you cook them, then mash them with a potato masher. But I am a food mill convert. Plus, I like the way the apple skins turn the applesauce pink. And don't worry, Gramma, Katherine says your applesauce is still the best.
My grandfather made the most amazing applesauce... it smelled just amazing. I think the secret ingredient may have been a pinch of cloves. I'll be looking into the food mill. I love the idea of keeping the skins (and the fiber) in the sauce.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with five apple trees in the backyard, and each year my dad would have this assembly line where he made (and froze) apple sauce for the rest of the year. My mom couldn't handle seeing the entire kitchen covered in apple residue, so she would take us kids on a daytrip somewhere and return late, after he was finished.
ReplyDeleteI remember having apple sauce with everything, especially in late summer so that we could clear out the freezer for the next year's batch.
This sounds so delicious! I'm actually making apple crisp today, but will try your apple sauce recipe another day. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLori D - Ooh, cloves. Or nutmeg. Or pumpkin pie spice...
ReplyDeleteMBM - I didn't mean to traumatize you. Do you still like applesauce?
HWM - Apple crisp! We haven't made that yet this fall. Good idea.