More Than Applesauce
I have fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table with my mom and grandma slicing apples and cooking them down. My siblings and I loved to crank the food mill that magically removed the skins and spit out the lovely golden colored applesauce. But the best part of the day was when we got to eat a warm bowl of fresh applesauce topped with butter and cinnamon.
Last week Caleb and I picked up some gnarly apples that were lying on the ground beneath an old neglected apple tree. The apples were perfect for applesauce! Our house was filled with the sweet aroma as the apples cooked. A little while later, we were enjoying bowls of beautiful golden applesauce.
Today I am sharing my technique for making applesauce and a few creative ideas for how to use it.
1. Gather or purchase your apples. It doesn't matter if the apples are crisp or soft, bruised or blemished. What is important is getting a good balance with your flavor. If you have really tart apples you may want to add some sweet apples to help prevent your applesauce from being too sour. Likewise, you may want to add several tart apples to a sweeter mixture. I find that mixing several varieties of apples works best. But feel free to use what you have on hand and adjust it to your tastes.
2. Decide if you're going to use a food mill or go the old-fashioned way. I like to use a food mill if I am doing large amounts of apples. For small batches I opt to peel my apples by hand.
If you decide to use a foot mill the prep time will be much shorter. The down side is that you'll need to set up and clean up your food mill. It can be a real sticky mess! For the food mill technique, quarter apples and remove any "bad spots." Add the apples to a large pot with about 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Boil until apples are soft and can be run through the food mill.
For the old-fashioned technique, quarter, remove the core, and peel the apples. Once your apples are ready, add them to a large pot with about 2 inches of water. Boil until apples are soft. For a smoother applesauce you'll want to cook longer and possibly even use a stick blender. For chunky applesauce cook less time and mash apples with a large fork or potato masher.
3. Choose which method you want to use to store your applesauce. I like to freeze my applesauce if I only have a few batches. The problem with freezing is using up valuable freezer space. If I have large amounts of applesauce, I typically choose to can it. The downside of canning is the amount of time and effort that goes into the process. However, you are left with a shelf-stable product that will keep for quite a while. Either way is a good option in my opinion.
4. Use and enjoy your homemade applesauce throughout the year. Below are some fun ideas to help you creatively use/eat your applesauce.
Substitute applesauce for oil in baked goods. Zucchini bread with applesauce is especially yummy!
Pork and applesauce pot roast. Pork and apples are a delicious and classic combination. I think it would be lovely to try adding an applesauce and sage glaze to grilled pork chops. I may have to experiment with a new recipe coming this weekend!
Create a salad dressing with a hint of applesauce. This would be perfect for autumn salads.
Applesauce flavored granola... I haven't tried this one yet, but it's definitely on my list!
For breakfast try adding applesauce to pancakes or oatmeal. If you really are going for those cozy morning vibes, top with walnuts and drizzle with maple syrup. You won't be disappointed!
Add a splash of applesauce to fall flavored soups such as pumpkin or butternut squash.
Top potato latkes with fresh applesauce. Dense potatoes with light and tangy applesauce - you can't go wrong there.
Mac and cheese with applesauce. I know it sounds a little crazy, but I've heard that the sharpness of the cheese combined with the sweetness of the applesauce is a perfect pairing. I can't wait to try a recipe for this dish.
I hope you found some culinary inspiration in the post. Leave me a comment with your favorite way to use or eat applesauce. I love hearing your thoughts and ideas!
Thanks for reading,
Abby
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