Peddling back to when I made the rolled loin of pork for the lunch we enjoyed with friends last Sunday, I also made apple sauce. I’m sure you would agree that if you’re going to crunch on crackling, it can only be all the better for dipping it into apple sauce.
Spiced Apple Sauce
However, I have an aversion to the jars of apple sauce I see on the supermarket shelves. It’s all so pureed and lacking in texture that it reminds me of baby food or food for those who have had their jaws wired together.
Spiced apple sauce is just perfect with roast pork
I didn’t want to serve a sauce that looked like I’d picked it up in either the baby aisle or the medicinal aisle so I made my own. This is a great apple sauce as it is seasoned with spices making it totally appropriate for the upcoming Christmas season and I know a lot of people serve roast pork if not on Christmas Day then perhaps on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day and so to have a jar of this in the fridge would certainly be handy.
I like to use granny smith apples because they are nice and tart
Apple sauce can be made very quickly however I had a very keen assistant in the kitchen with me who insisted on peeling all the apples and then wanted to use my largest knife to core them. Stress levels rising and what could have taken just a minutes blew out to an hour. Never mind – he didn’t chop off his fingers and we had fun together.
So this is how Alfie and I made our spiced apple sauce.
Cooking the apples with the spices
Spiced Apple Sauce
Makes: 2 cups approximately
Degree of Difficulty: 1/5
Cost: Just a couple of dollars
- 6 granny smith apples peeled and cored and cut into chunks
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tbspns sugar
- 6 cloves *
- 1 cinnamon quill *
Place all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan and stir over medium heat until apples have softened – about 15 minutes. Remove spices and use a potato masher to mash the sauce into the desired consistency however do leave a bit of texture as a smooth sauce is too much like baby food.
Allow to cool then spoon into sterilised jars and store in the fridge.
* You can tie the spices up in muslin so you don’t have to search for them when the sauce is made – no one wants to bite into a clove!
Spiced Apple Sauce
If you liked this post, you’re welcome to share it!
Nothing better than homemade apple sauce with that crackling.
I love applesauce and almost always have some in my refrigerator. Although I have to say I haven’t made it since I was in jr high, which was some time ago. You’ve inspired me now to make my own. This sounds perfect. Thank you!
Homemade applesauce tastes entirely different from anything you can get in the store and I much prefer it! So much real apple flavor!
I would totally make these!
Thanks Cquek. I just visited your blog and read your fantastic post on Beijing Zoo however I was unable to leave a comment as you no longer have the Name/URL option. I’m unable to use the other options.
Sounds delicious!
I wish I had an Alfie to help me with peeling my apples!! A French applesauce was my blog post today…and I actually prefer mine like yours with cinnamon. We just used vanilla, but it was still quite tasty!
Applesauce isn’t something I’m really familiar with since it was never bought or served at my house. I don’t even know what else to do with it other than just eat it straight or put it in cakes in place of oil. 🙂
We don’t tend to eat apple sauce with meat, but I do love making stewed apples for dessert. And I’d never thought of putting a cinnamon quill in it!
I want a slice of that pork loin right now! Yum!
The apple sauce you buy is definitely a yucky texture Charlie. Yours looks much better indeed and the spices sound delicious! Don’t we love our little helpers- a sprint becomes a marathon 🙂 xox
I never knew applesauce was so easy!! Maybe now I could get my boys eat some apples!
The store bought stuff is terrible! My children won’t eat that stuff. I’ve never made my own and its very easy by the looks of it! I love the look of yours and with the cinnamon and cloves, perfect seasonings.
Nazneen
Ooh yummy! Yours looks much better than any store-bought version.
It is a great accompaniment to this dish. I also have a more chunky variation that I like to prepare for dessert.
I used to core my apples but now I cut down two sides and then take the two “hips” off leaving the center core. Lots less work. Jacques Pepin showed me that on TV one lazy afternoon.
I agree that once you’ve made your own applesauce you can’t buy it any more. Yours sounds delicious!
What good timing! I’ve ordered extra apples for my produce box, which we’ll pick up in about an hour! I do love homemade applesauce, but don’t make it very often. Nor do I buy the commercial brands, though, for the same reasons you’ve mentioned. I think they’re very unsatisfying. I am happy to take your lead and make my own later today. The pork roast looks scrumptious!
Good for Alfie that he can use a peeler and a knife at such a young age! It’s so nice when the kiddies help in the kitchen. I love home made apple sauce, I often use it in recipes which call for oil to reduce the fat.
Home made is so very much better than bought especially with all those lovely spices. Crackling and apple sauce, what could be better? GG xxx
I can’t eat apples any more but I sure can appreciate them and love that you made your own sauce.
I just love how something so simple can be so yummy! I love home-made apple sauce, and will be certainly making yours for this festive season. How long will it last in the fridge though? Also, what a great idea for Christmas presents too!!
Hi Andrea, I think it only lasts about three weeks so if you are going to make this for Christmas, I’d be making it a few days before Christmas Day.
I adore apple sauce and this looks wonderfully tart and flavorful! It’s one of my favorite treats to tuck into 🙂
I so agree with you, Charlie! Pureed applesauce has nothing on your gorgeous version. I’ve never thought to pop the spices right in, the flavor would be so much better that way.. really infused through the apples. Add a little thick texture and this would be perfect with pork!! xx
yup, the store stuff is worst than baby food! Love the look of your sauce Charlie! How long does it last in the fridge?
Hi Lisa, I wouldn’t leave it in the fridge for any longer than three weeks.
I don’t mind regular (commercial) apple sauce, to the extent that I would happily eat it by the jarful (perhaps that equates to “I like” rather than “I don’t mind”!) but your version looks much, much better. I love the spice inclusion too!
Homemade is always nicest. I last made apple sauce minus the spices mind you when we still lived in Mauritius. We’ve been home over 2 years!
🙂 Mandy xo
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never made applesauce and didn’t know it was so easy! Now it’s on my to do list for this Fall, thanks!
It’s been years since I’ve made apple sauce. And you’re so right – what one usually buys at the store does look like baby food. I gotta make this! Thanks.
This looks amazing Charlie! It definitely doesn’t look like the store bought stuff, because as the person above mentioned, store bought stuff looks like mush and baby food! Yours actually has great visual appeal to it, also because you’re awesome food styling hehe x
Hehe a lot of them do look like baby food. But not this one! 😀
Mmmmm… Nothing like homemade applesauce! Have made my own several times. Love it! And so much better than anything you can buy in the store! xo
Your absolutely right! Most of the apple sauce that can be bought on supermarkets looks like baby food. 😉 Homemade apple sauce is a lot better and your sauce looks great!
I like your restraint with spices, Charlie… the apples are sure to be the star of this dish.
I can’t think of anything else better to pair this up than roast pork belly 😀 Perfect spiced apple sauce! YUM!
I have thought so often of late that I wanted to make some applesauce–and here you provide a perfect, simple recipe. In fact, the simplicity of it is very appealing. I fear I would have tarted it up too much, but I like the idea of less spice rather than more. Sounds lovely. And wonderful paired with the pork.