Firecracker applesauce

1 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
8Granny Smith [or your favorite combination of] apples (about 3 3/4 pounds)
2cupsApple cider (preferably unpasteurized)
¼cupCider vinegar
1Fresh serrano chile [I bet a chipotle would be terrific]
2Whole cloves
½Stick cinnamon
teaspoonSalt
1smallBay leaf

Directions

This recipe comes from the October issue of Gourmet. I haven't tried it, but nonetheless take the liberty of providing a running commentary [in brackets]:

Maloney & Porcelli, NYC

Chop 6 apples, unpeeled, and in a large saucepan combine with cider, vinegar, chile, cloves, cinnamon stick, salt, and bay leaf. Simmer mixture, covered, until apples are very tender and falling apart, about 20 minutes.

Cook mixture over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes more to reduce excess liquid slightly. Discard cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf. Puree sauce, preferably using a hand blender [!], and while still hot force through a fine sieve into a bowl. [I'd use a food mill to blend/strain in one step.]

Peel and core remaining 2 apples and cut into ⅓" cubes. Stir apples into sauce and cool. Sauce keeps, covered and chilled, 2 weeks. Yield approx. 6 cups.

Posted to CHILE-HEADS DIGEST V4 #147 by margo@... (Margo Hobbs Thompson) on Oct 5, 1997