Applesauce

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Grandma’s Applesauce

By Cynthia Cielle

This is a really healthy and rustic applesauce.

• 4 apples – cut into about 16 pieces each
• Cover with water
• Bring up to a simmer and let cook 15-30 minutes until soft
• Squish using a potato masher
• Top with Grandpa’s CinnaSugar®

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Basic Applesauce

A far cry from that overly sweetened, grainy mush that dominates supermarket shelves, this applesauce is tart with a hint of sweetness. Try it on latkes, with some braised pork, or on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 C apple cider or apple juice
• 1 C water
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar or brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 3 pounds crisp apples (about 6 large), such as Fuji, Winesap, Gala, or Granny Smith
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla at the very end

Step by Step

1. Add the apple cider, juice, water, and the cinnamon stick. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan.
2. Peel, core, and coarsely chop the apples into 1/2-inch pieces. Add the apple to the hot liquid
3. Lower the heat to medium low and gently boil for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon and checking to make sure the apples are not scorching.
4. When the apples are extremely tender and can be broken down to a chunky sauce with vigorous stirring, remove from the heat.
5. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard. Let mixture cool for a few minutes, then add the vanilla, sugar, a large pinch of salt, and the lemon juice.
6. Let the apples cool to room temperature.
7. For smooth applesauce, using a food mill fitted with a medium disk, pass the apple mixture through the mill to form a smooth purée.  Alternately, blend in a food processor to desired consistency.
8. For chunky sauce, beat the apples with a potato masher or wooden spoon until the desired consistency is reached.

Grandpa’s note:  If you are canning the applesauce, skip step 6 and proceed VERY CAREFULLY.  A Food Processor will work, but steam is explosive: make sure the body of the processor is well vented.  Can in hot water bath about 15 minutes using standard canning guidelines.

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Jim Morgan’s Applesauce

Yes, this recipe is originally from Alton Brown, but this Facebook post of Alton’s recipe was made with Jim’s very own apples. Pretty good recipe too.

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Calvados Applesauce

1 lb Gala apples
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons Calvados

Instructions
1. Peel and core apples, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
2. Bring apples, water, sugar, zest, and cinnamon to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes.
3. Remove lid and simmer until most of liquid is evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Add Calvados and simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 minute.
5. Mash apples with a potato masher or a fork to a coarse sauce, then cool.

Cook’s note: Applesauce can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.

Makes about 1 1/4 cups
* Active time:10 min
* Start to finish:1 hr (includes cooling)