Homemade Applesauce

My mom used to make homemade applesauce all the time when I was a kid and freeze a year's supply. We can't get the big jars of applesauce here in the UK like in the US so when British apples go on sale in the fall it's great to make up a batch of homemade sauce. I love to eat it warm right after it's cooked. I keep some refrigerated for a few days but the rest of it I freeze in small containers.

Ingredients:

8 medium cooking apples, peeled and cut up into fourths

1 cup water

1/2 cup brown sugar or 6-8 Tbsp granulated sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Makes 6 cups

Peel apples.

Core the apples and cut into quarters or you can use a special tool that does both for you.

Put apples in large pot and add water. I also add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, but you can also wait to add them after you cook the apples if you want to add to taste.

Heat apples and water to a boil over medium heat and stir occasionally. Reduce and simmer uncovered for 5 - 10 minutes until apples soften. Use a masher to smash up the apples and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. (You can add cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg now if you didn't earlier.)

For chunkier apple sauce, leave as is. If you like a smoother consistency, allow mashed apples to cool slightly and then puree in a blender.