Oct

Day 4: 12 Hour Applesauce

I know, I know. Who has 12 hours for anything, except working?

But this is warm, cinnamon-y applesauce that cooks in a slow cooker. Let’s do it!

There’s an indoor fruit stand down the street, and they sell juicing apples. Funny enough, some grocery stores and lots of farms/orchards growing apples will do the same. Be kind to me, I’m new at this whole bulk produce idea. I got 1/2 case of apples for $4…there are probably 8 varieties of apples totaling 60-70 apples, I’d say. Some are bruised, funny shaped or really small, but a little peeling and slicing makes these apples perfect for juice and…applesauce!

12 Hour Applesauce
This applesauce melts in your mouth. The simple steps make it easy to make and the spices will fill your home with Fall happiness. Enjoy.
Makes 1 quart

10 apples, varying sizes
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Step One: Core and cube apples. Throw into the slow cooker, as well as all of the other ingredients, and cook on high for 2 hours.

Step Two: Turn down to low for 8-10 more hours. Eat warm, topped on whatever you like or just plain. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

And, just because I can’t help myself, here’s a new photo of Sam…who loves naps and cuddling.

Happy Fall Weekend!
Laurel

~Laurel~

13 years ago Short URL 1 Comment

apples/applesauce/cinnamon/slow cooker

May

Cranberry Coconut Applesauce

No, I’m no hippie, but I just made my own applesauce for the first time. I saw Rachael Ray do it to top on pork, so I made my own variety.

Let me tell you, I made this in 30 minutes flat, including the time that it took to run upstairs and shower and dress before work. I then stuck it in the freezer for 10 minutes and packed it in my “lunch” which fell at 3pm that day. It’s good cold or hot.

Unsweetened applesauce is a staple in my diet. Here’s how I eat it the most, in ways that keep me from feeling like a 5 year old:

A spread on crispy, warm toast
Mixed with plain hot oatmeal for fruity sweetness
Used for “moisture” in much of my baking (oil sub, butter sub, sugar sub)
Just plain in a bowl with a bunch of cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg
Heated with craisins mixed in and crunchy granola on top
Topped on chicken

This recipe is for chunky applesauce, but you can put it in a food processor to reach your desired consistency.

Cranberry Coconut Applesauce
4 apples, 2 green and 2 red
1 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup shredded coconut (if unsweetened, add the brown sugar)
1/2 t. cinnamon

Dash of ground nutmeg
1 TB brown sugar (optional)
2 TB chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

one: Core and slice apples into bite-sized chunks. Stir all ingredients in a medium-large pot and bring to a boil.

two: Cover and turn heat down to medium low for 25 minutes, until sauce is thickened and apples are soft and mushy. Using back of wooden spoon, smush apples a bit to create a thicker sauce.
three: Eat hot or cold.

Eat alone, as a side with dinner, or on top of a salty pork or chicken entree.

In one bite, you taste the soft apple, the crunchy coconut and the tart cranberry juice cooked in.

Hope you enjoy!

~Laurel~

15 years ago Short URL

apples/applesauce/cinnamon/coconut/cranberry

May

Double Chocolate Cookies

No matter the beautiful display and detail, decadence, even marinade juice oozing out of the tastiest bite in my mouth of the best food of the moment, heaven on a plate, I always go back to this simple comfort food:

the chocolate chip cookie.

I have changed the way I bake, so there is minimal white flour and white sugar used. However, I
tried to add the *bleached yet comforting*

ingredients [whiteflour/sugar] and the

*healthy yet heavy* [wheatflour/

agavesyrup] ingredients for

something chocolatey,

melty, and decadent.

And here is the

result…

yum.

Double Chocolate Cookies

*makes 24 bits of heaven*
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 TB cocoa powder
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/8 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 TB water
3 TB softened margarine/butter
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
one: Combine dry ingredients in large bowl (minus the chocolate chips).
two: Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until completely moist and smooth. Dough is the consistency of a thick pudding (and delicious raw!). If dough is still too dry (not pudding yet), add an extra tablespoon of applesauce. Add chocolate chips last.
three: Bake at 375 for 12 minutes. Cookies will be soft, gooey and fabulous.