Looking for a homemade dessert without all the sugar that feels like ‘home’? Want one version that can cook it while you sleep? Try this delicious and healthy homemade applesauce.
Ingredients:
8 Gala or any other apple of choice, cored, and quartered*
½ c water
Juice of 2 oranges (freshly squeezed) plus pulp if you wish OR juice of 1 orange + 1/2 c water
1 TB lemon juice (freshly squeezed) Note: If using Granny Smiths, omit the lemon juice.
½ t cinnamon
Directions:
Cook in one of 3 ways:
Instant pot: Pressure cook for 7 minutes and let steam naturally release. (My favorite)
Crock pot: Cook on low for 6 hours.
Regular pot: Bring to boil and then simmer for about an hour or until desired softness.
Mix with a wooden spoon and leave chunky or blend with an immersion blender till desired consistency.
Delicious served warm, especially on a cold Friday or Yom Tov night.
*I leave the skins on for nutrition and color but your choice. (Skins are less noticeable when blended.)
P.S. Whenever possible, opt for organic apples because they are generally highly sprayed with pesticides. (Check out the “Dirty Dozen” list here.) Organic apples are often not much more expensive when you buy them by the 2 or 3 pound bag and can be found in most local grocery stores.
P.P.S. An easy and inexpensive way to remove pesticides from produce is to soak them in a gallon of water with 1 T of baking soda for a 1/2 an hour (time permitting) or wash well with store bought or homemade fruit and vegetable wash.