You Should Make This Elevated Applesauce Immediately

I don’t know why so many of us stop eating applesauce after childhood – turning apples into applesauce is easy, takes no time at all, and is completely customizable to your liking. If you only remember applesauce as a sweet, plain cereal, it’s time to step away from the grocery aisle and make it yourself.

How to make applesauce

Three pounds of apples sounds like a lot, but it’s only about five apples and will make about three cups of applesauce. Choosing apples is a very personal choice; use Cosmic Crisp and you’ll have the applesauce equivalent of Juicy Fruit. Go to a gala and it might be so tart you’ll want to top it with ice cream. I like the apple blend, a little tart and a little sweet.

Peel the apples and then cut them into slices, cutting out the core. Keep a saucepan nearby and add apples while peeling and slicing them. Sprinkle the sliced ​​apples with lemon juice as you go to prevent them from browning. Pour maple syrup over apples and stir; add spices and orange zest to the pan. Squeeze the orange juice and add that too. Mix everything well in the pan, then bring to a low simmer over medium-high heat and reduce the heat to medium to bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and let it simmer for twenty minutes, stirring every five minutes or so. Turn off the heat, but leave the pan on the stove with the lid closed. It will continue to evaporate, softening the apples.

Choose your texture

Now it’s a matter of texture. The apples are soft and will break down as much as you allow them to: if you like it smooth, use a blender or place the mixture in a food processor or blender and puree. If you prefer a thicker sauce, use a potato masher to crush the apples to your desired texture, leaving as many apple pieces as you like.

You can also adjust the flavor if you think it needs more spice; Consider adding some hot peppers for a healthy flavor, or Chinese five spice and ginger for a subtler flavor. You can add more maple syrup, brown sugar or even molasses. A little apple cider vinegar will give it a kick.

Place the sauce in the refrigerator to cool. (You can eat it warm, but most people like it cool or at room temperature.) The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about five days, but don’t worry, it won’t last that long.

Raised Applesauce Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds mixed apples

• ½ cup maple syrup

• Juice of ½ lemon or 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

• 1 clementine or small orange

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1 teaspoon star anise powder

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Peel the apples, remove the core and cut into slices. Place the apple slices in a saucepan and mix them with the lemon juice.

2. Add maple syrup and spices to apples. Zest and juice the orange and add to the remaining ingredients. Mix well.

3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for twenty minutes, covered, stirring every five minutes or so.

4. Turn off the heat, but leave the pan on the stove with the lid closed for another 10 minutes.

5. Use a blender or food processor to make smooth applesauce, or use a potato masher to make thick applesauce.

6. Adjust seasoning to your liking and refrigerate.

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