Homemade Applesauce & A Visitor

She says, "just a little taste, please".

As I was looking through the lens of my camera, while photographing this applesauce, I heard a soft little “bzzzzz”.  I pulled my eye away from the camera to discover a sweet little bee stopping by for a sample of homemade applesauce.  Now she is one smart bee! The hives are not near where I was shooting but she must have been out foraging and “smelled” the applesauce.  I couldn’t help but let her savor a few bites before shooing her away and putting the lid back on the open jar of sauce, at which time she moved to the spoon and continued her feast.

After making this batch of homemade applesauce I promise you I won’t buy it at the grocery store ever again.  Why would I?  This is so easy and when eaten warm right off of the stove it’s scrumptious.  Such plain fare yet so incredibly delicious.  It gives rise to the phrase an apple a day keeps the doctor away.  Only 4 ingredients are needed to make this healthy treat. Knowing that apple season is about to be upon us I will be experimenting with variations of this basic recipe.

Mixing the types of apples yielded excellent texture as well as sweet and tart flavors.  I used Gala, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady apples. I’m sure any mixture of colors and types will be pleasing to your taste buds.

Enjoy!

Fresh Applesauce

Fresh Applesauce

Ingredients:
12 large apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. Honey
1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice

Bring all ingredients to a slight boil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, 25-30 minutes or until apples are tender and juices thicken.  Remove from heat.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Bee girl sampling applesauce for the first time.