Make applesauce from apples picked from our trees.- Pick basil from garden and make pesto and freeze.
- Turn over flower beds to ready for next year's garden beds.
- Blog about each of the above.
I love it when the things on my to do list actually make it a "want-to-do-list". And I also feel stressed when these things get to feeling overwhelming. But The first one is now crossed off the list!! And the applesauce is delicious. I love sharing the bounty! I gave some to my gal Lisa and family as they welcomed their 2nd child when I brought a meal to them. (Always include a sweet treat I advised when I guest posted over at Little Coffee Beans). I gave some to our neighbor Sara to celebrate her birthday. I brought some to the Rosh Hashanah picnic/potluck in the park - so sweet to hear the shofar this year!!! (L'Shana Tova)! And I have a jar promised to some other friends and more apples waiting on the tree.
Spiced Applesauce:
4 pounds apples
½ cup apple cider or water
Optional spices:
2 pieces star anise
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon cloves
2 pieces star anise
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon cloves
She suggests quartering apples and leaving the skins on to fish out later, but because I have my peeler, slicer, corer - it was faster for me to use that.
Slice, core, peel apples. I toss them into a bowl of salt water to prevent browning while I'm finishing my prep. Put them in a large, non-reactive pot. Add liquid and star anise (if using), put on lid and bring to a simmer. Let fruit cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until the fruit has broken down.
Remove star anise. Using a potato masher or immersion blender, break down the fruit until it has reached your desired consistency. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Marisa has more instructions on canning the applesauce, but since we were using it and eating it up quickly, I didn't bother with that step this time. Maybe next batch. Nothing like the sweetness of applesauce in late January to make you feel alive again.
I know I have raved about my Apple slicer, corer, peeler before, but I have to again this year. I LOVE this piece of kitchen equipment and it's worth the $20!!
Deliciousness!
