Monday, November 5, 2012

The right weather for cranberry-applesauce.

Last weekend, in contrast to this past one, was chilly and rainy. I'd picked up some apples (Granny Smith, gala and some other variety whose name I can't recall) and decided it was time to make applesauce for a dinner I planned the next day. I turned on a movie and started peeling.
I left them in the fridge overnight in a little orange juice and went out in the morning to pick up a few groceries. And they had winesaps! For my money, the very best applesauce apples. Naturally, I had to peel and chop a few of those as well.
I put the apple chunks in a crock pot without liquid and just leave them to reduce themselves to sauce. Hours later, I add a can of whole-berry cranberry sauce, a couple of tablespoons of marmalade  and a little ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. The apples were still cooking early afternoon when I got a text saying it was a good day for being indoors. It was indeed dreary out, so I texted back, "Come on over."
Salmon in roasted pepper marinade, green beans, red peppers, carrots and sweet onions slow roasted with herbs and balsamic vinegar, my famous twice-baked potato bombs and the applesauce. Cooler weather just seems to call for heartier food.
It keeps for a while in the fridge, so I've been using the sauce to make snacks like this - toasted on sunflower seed bread with slices of brie and walnuts. You can't beat that combo, I promise.

28 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, all the food looks delicious@ That apple/cranberry sauce does look very yummy with lots of good uses indeed!! I do agree with you, when it is colder out, heartier seems to be the way to go for eating!

    betty

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    1. It's good on waffles, too! I think we are wired to want heartier food when the weather cools.

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  2. oooh, sounds delicious! i think i can smell it from here!

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    1. Probably could - I was eating that toasted bread as I finalized this post!

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  3. I love my crock pot, but have never made applesauce. I will admit, it's because I'm too damn lazy to peel all those apples!

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    1. I probably shouldn't admit this, but I actually like peeling apples.

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  4. oh my that snack sounds really good....the bit of cinnamon and nutmeg....mmm...adds a nice touch surely...

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    1. I always add cinnamon, but this time I was inspired to throw in some nutmeg and ginger, too. They worked.

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  5. HOLY COW! That cranberry-applesauce sounds BEYOND yummy! My favorite fruit are apples, but I also love cranberries, so I know I would love it!

    " Cooler weather just seems to call for heartier food."

    I totally agree. In fact, that's one of the things I love about this time of the year, stews, soups, bread and butter, and a nice glass of red wine!

    "I've been using the sauce to make snacks like this - toasted on sunflower seed bread with slices of brie, walnuts."

    That photo is to DIE FOR! As I shared in my last comment, you and I enjoy eating the same kinds of food!

    Have a great week!

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    1. And the cranberry applesauce is cooking, the whole house smells amazing. Somehow I feel less cold when there is good hearty food to be had. And yes, a nice glass of red wine goes with just about anything!

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  6. You've got my mouth watering. Plus I like anything I can put in a crock pot and walk away form for a few hours. Makes me feel productive with a minimum of actual work. :)

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    1. Walking away while the food safely cooks is a plus, for sure.

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  7. Me and Pavlov's dog...

    I love applesauce.

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  8. Replies
    1. I blog about my life - cooking is a big part of that.

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  9. I love homemade applesauce but have never added that much "wow" to it! The brie on toast with nuts and sauce---Sounds beyond delicious!

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  10. That does look yummy...I may have to try it for Thanksgiving.

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  11. OC=Old Curmudgeon=spouse=absent.

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  12. I feel all nice and warm inside from reading this post. Also licking my lips .....tooo bad I can't taste the applesauce and all those goodies.

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  13. It does sound absolutely wonderful. Here I have lost 30 pounds in India and I am sure just fantasizing about this applesauce and what I would eat it with has brought back several pounds.

    Home to the US on the 16th.

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    1. I think you have to actually eat the stuff for it to make a difference, but this is mostly fruit and good for you.

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  14. i want that brie and walnut snack !!!
    and all that applesauce.

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