Applesauce

You might think this is for kiddies in tiny snack cups, but it's a great snack to take to work or the perfect sauce/side alternative for meats (especially pork!) instead of using, say, a chutney! I mean, WHAT is a chutney....

Ingredients

•  5 medium-large apples (yields about 6 cups chopped apples, any combo of apples works)
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon and ground cloves (optional, just if you like the flav-ah-flave)
• 1/4 cup sugar

Tools

• Cutting board
• Peeler
• Sharp knife (a steak knife will do)
• Medium saucepan
• Set of measuring cups and spoons
• Fork or Masher
• Apple Corer (optional)

Prep Tips

• Use any kinds of apples - even a mix is ok. You'll quickly learn from cooking with them that some soften more than other, some are sweeter, etc. and you'll discover your own preference.

Step-by-Step

• Peel the apples. To speed it up, peel around the stem of the apple and then down from the stem in strips.
• Cut the apple away from the core in slices or use an apple corer to remove the core.
• Cut the slices of apple into 1/2 inch to 1 inch cubes. Plop them in the saucepan as you go to clear your butting board.
• Add the 3/4 cup water to saucepan.
• OPTIONAL: If you like the flavor of cinamon or cloves, add 1/4 tsp combo of these ground ingredients. If you don't like the flavor or just like one, you call the shots.
• Bring to a boil. You might not be able to see the water in the pan, so listen for the boil.
• Reduce to a simmer. This means still bubbling but not a rolling boil. On most burners this mean low or 2/10 if your burner has numbers.
• Leave simmering for 10 mins. Stir every couple of minutes.
• Add the 1/4 cup sugar. Some recipes call for 1/2 cup sugar for this amount of apples, but I find that to be too sweet and crossing the line from healthy snack into sugary no-no.
• Simmer for another 5 mins.
• Turn off the burner.
• Let pan sit for 2 mins to cool off. Stir a bit to release the eat faster.
• To mash:
• PLASTIC MASHER (used in video): Ok to mash in saucepan
• METAL MASHER OR FORK TO MASH: Move contents of pan into mixing bowl and mash. Metal utensil on a saucepan is no good.
• Let it cool off and enjoy!