I got some magnificent Northern Spy and Cortland Apples from the Oakland County Farmers Market on Saturday and had to make some fresh apple sauce.  The kids aren't big fans of the chunks but I love a homemade apple sauce with big pieces of apple in it.  It's great as a side dish for any dinner.

Apple Sauce
     8 Large Apples, I used 1/2 Northern Spy and 1/2 Cortland, peeled and cut into chunks
     1 c Water
     2 t Cinnamon, more to taste
     1/2 c Sugar, more or less, it really depends on personal taste and the tartness of your apples
     1 t Vanilla Extract

     1. Combine the apples, water, cinnamon and sugar in a large pan on medium heat
     2. Stir often to bring the cooked apples to the top and send the raw apples down to cook.
     3. As the apples cook, smash them against the side of the pan with your spoon
     4. When the apples are a uniform color, turn the heat down and cook to desired consistency.
     5. I use a spoon test and when a good mouthful will sit on a spoon I remove the sauce from the heat.
     6. Cool slightly and stir in the vanilla.  This was my Grandfather's secret to a good apple sauce.
     7. Refrigerate and serve with anything.

Enjoy,

Get in the Kitchen and Cook Something!