Easy Peasy Applesauce.. have I mentioned how much I love my food mill?

When I went to make my Quinoa Apple Muffins, the recipe called for applesauce and, of course, I had used up mine just last night. But, have no fear, I have a billion apples in the house right now thanks to the discount produce rack at the supermarket. 

I am not sure what criteria they are using to choose which apples need to go on the discount rack, but I hope they don't change!  I think I have come across maybe 2 apples that even have a bruise on them. They have discounted these amazing apples to .49 cents a pound! All kinds! I am getting honeycrisp, gala, granny, even organic! So, anyway, I have a plethora of apples in the house right now. The dehydrator has been going non stop!

That having been prattled on about, I made applesauce for the recipe and decided perhaps I would share. 

I decided I would just make a small batch since I just needed a half cup for the recipe, but I would make enough to fill the jar I had just washed. 

I used 3 different kinds of apples. Grannysmith, Gala, and an organic Braeburn. I used my apple correr slicer thingymajiggy. This is all I do for when I dehydrate apples too. I don't bother peeling them.

Anyway, here is how I made this batch. I can't really say it's a "recipe" as there isn't really any set proportions. 

• 3 large apples cored and cut (I don't bother to peel them as I use a food mill to process them which leaves the peels behind)
• about 1/4 cup water (you really only need a smidget as the apples themselves will usually have enough liquid)
• about 1/4 cup maple syrup
• about 1/2 tsp (or so) cinnamon

Core and cut the apples into large chunks. Put them into an appropriately sized sauce pan with water and maple syrup and cinnamon. You can totally use sugar, you can omit any sweetener at all. I actually usually don't use any sweetener as I think the apples are sweet enough. 

Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer for about 15 minutes until the apples are nice and soft. If you find that there is an excessive amount of liquid, just pour it off (I actually usually save mine and drink it like cider!) Let it cool a bit then I used my food mill to squish it all into applesauce consistency. In the past I have mashed the apples with a masher, used a potato ricer, pushed it through a sieve, and sometimes, just kinda mushed them with a fork and left chunks. 

Applesauce is one of those great things that you can play with as much as you like. You can make it thicker, thinner, smoother, chunkier, blander, spicier. You can add other fruits, leave the peels, pre-peel. You can even make an individual serving by just coring and apple and cook it in a micro safe bowl in the microwave for a couple minutes with a couple tablespoons of water in the bottom of the bowl. After a just 2 minutes (usually) you can take it out and mash it up with the sweetener and spices of your choice.
Have fun with it!

Quinoa flour? What!? My try at Quinoa Apple Muffins

I just LOVE when I make a recipe from scratch, and end up having to make the actual INGREDIENTS from scratch too!

I can't remember now what I was looking for, but came across a recipe for Quinoa Apple Muffins.  I am trying to go the way of gluten free, and so this intrigued me. I have quinoa on my shelf... I have apples... I like muffins... hmmmmmmmmm

Well, the recipe called for quinoa flour. THAT I did NOT have on my shelf, but... I DO have my handy dandy trusty coffee grinder that I use for EVERYTHING!  SOOOOOO I made myself the flour.  The original recipe called for 2 1/2 cups of it, and I really didn't want to use up that much in case it turns out to be like the dandelion soup (a whole story for another day). So, I decided I would halve the recipe. It seems that a half cup of quinoa ends up yielding about 3/4 cup of quinoa flour. 

The recipe also called for applesauce. Of course I used the last of my applesauce just yesterday and had just washed out the jar. That was definitely not a big deal since I have a HUGE supply of apples at the moment. So, I made some applesauce and used 3 different types of apples and maple syrup instead of any sugar. (oh, and for the record, I always only use PURE maple syrup... the other stuff isn't even anything maple .. its just grossness)

The original recipe also said something about how it probably wouldn't rise, and so to fill the tins right to the top. Well, my Acorn Banana Bread raised nicely and that had both baking powder and baking soda in it. This recipe only called for baking soda, so I decided I would add in some baking powder also. 

I think that was the right choice :)

Ok, so here is what the recipe ended up being:

• ½ cup apple sauce
• ¼ cup olive oil (original recipe called for vegetable but I don't have any)
• 1/3 cup PURE maple syrup
• 2 eggs
• 1 small grated apple
• ¼ vanilla
• 1¼ cup quinoa flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.

Mix together oil and maple syrup. Beat in eggs. Stir in applesauce, grated apple and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, stir together the remaining dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, and stir by hand until well combined.

Pour into a greased or lined muffin tray 3/4 full. 

Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

So, they rose nicely, the consistency is PERFECT! They are not crumbly or anything!  I think perhaps a smidge more salt maybe, or I might try using butter instead of oil, or half oil, half butter. 

Mom gave it a good review. In fact I had to send her away and tell her she couldn't have anymore!

original recipe