With a few apples you can make applesauce. Maybe you dream of an apple pie, but you don’t have the time or patience to make one. Applesauce with graham crackers can be an achievable substitute.
Apples vary as to flavor and texture. Some, like Delicous Apples are sweet, others like Granny Smith are rather tart. I have made satisfactory applesauce with a mix of different apples. Their flavors complement each other. Some apples will retain their shape after being cooked, others will soften quickly. Either type is good for applesauce. Fuji apples grown in New York State are shown in the picture above. I have used them for applesauce and for pie.
Bring the apples to a boil over medium heat, and then reduce the heat until they are just barely boiling. Cook them at this setting until all the apples are soft. This timing will vary with the kind of apples you use.
You can eat the applesauce plain, or you can add the spices you would use in apple pie.
Applesauce is a simple food that can be prepared with a minimum of equipment. You can use direct heat on a stove, or you can use a microwave. I found the following proportions worked well in a microwave:
- 6 Fugi apples sliced and placed in a covered bowl
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup water
- Microwave on high for a total 12 minutes in three four-minute increments.
Happy Cooking,
Ruth Ann