Recipe: "Instant" Applesauce

You can find apples at great prices right now. How would you like to make them last all year? Take a look at this amazing idea - and don't forget that apple chips make a great snack on their own as well!

“Instant” Applesauce

Ingredients:
4 lbs apples (semi-tart to tart varieties work best)
¼ cup sugar (or more to taste)
½ t cinnamon (or more to taste)

Makes approximately six ¼ cup (dry) servings.

1. Wash and core the apples (peeling is optional). Use a Mandolin Slicer, food processor, or apple peeler/corer to cut apple into disks no more than ¼” thick.
   
2. Place in a dehydrator (or on a wire rack inside your oven, at the lowest setting). Rotate the trays every hour or so until completely dry throughout.
   
3. After cooling, place apple pieces into a blender or food processor and pulse until powdered.
   
4. Place in bowl and mix in sugar and cinnamon. To test, take about 1 tablespoon of the applesauce and add water until it reaches the consistency of regular applesauce. Taste to determine if more sugar or cinnamon is needed.
   
5. Once the desired level of sugar and cinnamon are added, divide into ¼ cup portions and place in zip-top bags. Store in freezer until ready to use.
   
6. To rehydrate the applesauce, add water a little at a time and mix well until it reaches the proper consistency.

Note from Becky: Recently I picked up an Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer on sale at a kitchen goods outlet store. While it really helps me go though a big batch of apples quickly, the peeler takes a little more off than I would like. For larger apples it’s not much of a problem, but the smaller ones I’m best leaving the skins on or peeling them myself.

Many thanks to Becky Stacy for sharing this recipe! Becky is a working mother of an 8-month old son trying to cut costs so she can become a stay at home mom within the next year or two. She is a Food Network addict and enjoys playing around with new ideas in the kitchen. You can expect to read more from Becky in the coming days including tips on farmer's markets, information on squash and other great recipes!