simple sunday: homemade applesauce

I had the flu this year.  It was the first time I can even remember having the flu.  It was really, truly as awful as everyone says it is and all I wanted to eat was applesauce.  Just like the flu, applesauce was another thing I haven’t had in years.

When I started feeling better, I decided to make some from scratch.  I don’t know why I thought it would involve a lot of steps but it was so EASY!

Start by peeling, coring and dicing the apples into 1/2-inch pieces.  Put them into a pot with the cinnamon and sugar.

Or maple syrup and a vanilla bean.  Or cinnamon and nutmeg.  Or peanut butter.

Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  When they are ready, you should be able to use the back of a spoon to mash a piece of the apple on the side of the pot.

Using a fork, mash the apples until you get the desired texture.  You can leave the applesauce chunky or if you want it smoother, you can puree it in a blender or food processor.

I’ve been eating the applesauce straight out of the tupperware in the fridge, but its great to keep around to use as a substitute for oil in baking recipes or as a topping for a pork tenderloin.  Yum!

Homemade Applesauce

4 apples
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

Peel, core and dice the apples into 1/2-inch pieces.  Coat a pot with Pam and add the apples, sugar and cinnamon.  Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.  Using a fork or potato masher, mash the apples until you get the desired consistency.