So, I am crazy about apples, eat one almost every day, as long as I can get good ones.
The boss is not a fan, but he likes applesauce and needs to eat foods like that. Thus over the years I have made him a lot of it.
My previous method of prep required hours of simmering. Turned out delicious and all, but I don't always want to spend half a day checking in every few minutes to stir, stir, stir.
Plus, since it was a PIA to make, I made a lot at once, and always ended up tossing some, even if I broke it into batches and froze. He just couldn't eat it fast enough.
As apple season winds down we've been visiting Bellinger's Orchard early and often to stock up. We bought some seconds last week (which are actually perfectly nice apples, with just a few blemishes). I knew it was inevitable that I spend a few boiling hours to care for my life partner.
Then I had a thought. I wondered if you could microwave applesauce in small batches quickly.
Turns out you can.
I am not sure what might work for you, but I peeled, cored, and diced two apples, and put them in a microwave safe bowl with enough water to keep them from drying out or burning up. Then I nuked them for five minutes, smushed them down a bit with a fork, gave them another minute and a half and there it was....enough lovely applesauce for a couple of day's meals.
I make it without sugar and just squash it up good but I guess you could blend it finer if you wish. We prefer it kind of chunky. We also like cinnamon, so I add a hearty dose of that.
I am so excited about this....It's the little things.
Thank you for a) taking a chance, and b) letting us know how it turned out. :)
ReplyDeleteRev. Paul, I am excited all out of proportion about this. In a house where we cook from scratch to the point of making some of our own spice mixes, I hated feeding him jarred applesauce...especially with nearly a bushel of nice apples in the house. This will be better.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I detest soft apples for eating- they have to have that crunch when you bite into them, so this is a good way to use them up. Good for small batch applesauce for cakes too!
ReplyDeleteGood to know about microwaving a small batch of applesauce. I like mine chunky, so I use Ida Reds, but have you tried the newish variety called Snapdragon for eating out of hand? Wonderful flavor, juicy and crisp, but also smaller than most, just the right size for a snack.
ReplyDeleteShirley, I like the crisp ones too! Late season apples are the best! I thought I was done buying apples this fall, but our favorite orchard just brought in some Evercrisp! I got some last year and was still eating them in May. I made a second batch of the microwave sauce yesterday and it turned out even better.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline, I have not heard of that variety but I will look for it! I love the juicy, crisp late season varieties.