Busy In The Kitchen

I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately.  It takes a lot of time to prep for lunches and dinners each week-AND keep it clean with all the cooking.  Here is an example my prepping in the kitchen (I try to do most of my prepping Sunday evenings for the work week, it really helps:)

 Washed apples, ready to make applesauce, crock-pot baked potatoes, steamed mixed veggies, the broth ready to make pinto beans.

Though it creates a big mess, it is so nice to get most of my stuff ready before the work week starts.  I like to make my menu and then wash and prep my veggies, thaw my meat and make snacks/desserts/breads.  I think it is a lot of fun.  Anyways, on to posting a delicious recipe.  I know it is a little late in the game to be posting apple recipes, but there are a lot of good apples at the store right now, so take advantage of it.  After Christmas, we had so many Red Delicious apples from gift baskets and such.  I don't really like the texture of Red Delicious so I decided to make applesauce with them (because they have good flavor).  Homemade applesauce is very simple to make, it just takes a while to peel and chop the apples. 

 After you peel and chop your apples, just put them in a pot on medium heat with 1/2 to 1 cup of apple juice or apple cider and cinnamon.  Let them cook down for about 30 minutes.  I used an emersion blender to make it smooth, you could use a normal blender, leave it chunky, or cut the apples smaller and let them cook longer.

 I like to eat it warm!  It is good with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream...or just plain!

Simple Homemade Applesauce
3 lbs Red Delicious apples (could use any variety)
1 cup apple juice or cider
1 tsp cinnamon (could vary depending on preference)

Wash, peel and chop your apples.  In a large saucepan heat apples, juice and cinnamon over medium heat for about 30 minutes.  Blend or leave chunky.  Enjoy