Applesauce

I am almost to the bottom of the basket of apples. (Bless you, roaming deer for eating the rest.) Thank goodness. I figured making applesauce would be a good way to use up a lot of apples. I've been making applesauce for years and have never given a thought to needing a recipe. But if you look up applesauce recipes online, there are a gazillion ways people make it. Most are fancier than my plain version. In my mind, applesauce is just cooked apples, mashed up. But fresh, homemade applesauce—even this plain kind—is better than bought and easy enough to make in minutes.

This is great when you're in a hurry; when you need to use those last apples before they ruin; when you have a little one at your house and want to make a "treat." Little Sister had a dish of this for lunch and declared it, "Yummy!" 

Here is my "no recipe" recipe. You can do with whatever number of apples you have. (I might have four apples. I might have eight apples.) Sometimes I add cinnamon. But usually I'll stick to this very basic way of making it.

APPLESAUCE

apples, peeled and sliced into a saucepan

enough water to go about 1/3 of the way up the apples (don't cover them with water)

a squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

a little sugar to taste, if the apples are tart

Bring apples and water to a boil. Lower heat and put lid on the pan. Cook about 15-20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Watch the apples and add a little more water if needed. Or, remove the lid and cook a few more minutes, if necessary, to let the excess water cook out. If you have too much water left, dip some out. You don't want watery applesauce.

Mash apples with a fork or a potato masher until you get the texture you like. (I like mine chunky. Little Sister likes it smooth.)  Taste and add a spoonful of sugar if it needs it. 

UPDATE:  Today at lunch Little Sister pushed her dish of applesauce away and told me she didn't like it. I asked why she didn't since yesterday she loved it. She told me, "I don't like this applesauce—it has APPLES in it!" Guess this dish wasn't as smooth as the big spoonful she ate yesterday.  :-)