Homemade applesauce
Posted in dessert, Featured Articles, fruits, How to, snacks, Vegetarian, Western
Apples are traditional remedies for diarrhea. But do you know that raw grated apples are used to treat constipation whereas stewed apples for diarrhea? No, not me. I was totally ignorance about this fact until last December when my son was hit by a stomach virus. When I read up on what food to offer for kids with diarrhea, I found out that we should avoid raw apples!! This is because they contain high fiber which may irritate the kid’s digestive tract. It is better if we cook or blend the apples first to take advantage of the pectin and other nutrients in them. In this case, applesauce should be offered as it is high in pectin, which helps to naturally firm very soft or liquid bowel movements. Applesauce is also one of the highly recommended foods for kids with diarrhea besides rice, bananas, toast, tea (herbal) and yogurt. (Source: Wisegeek)
Looking at my son’s loss of appetite for regular food after recovering from stomach flu, I decided to cook for him my own applesauce. Making homemade applesauce is not difficult at all. The applesauce recipe I featured today was adapted and modified from both Cook Like Your Grandmother and Simply Recipes . You can choose any type of apples you like. The amount of sugar should only be used as a guide. Feel free to adjust according to your personal preference. The lemon juice and lemon strips are to enhance the flavor, and balance off the sweetness of the applesauce. Since sugar and lemon juice compliment each other, if you want to reduce the amount of sugar, you should correspondingly cut down on lemon juice too. Cinnamon stick is an optional ingredient, but it can certainly give the flavor of the applesauce a lift. If you don’t have it, you can substitute by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon at the end of the cooking process. I pureed my applesauce in a food processor to obtain a smooth texture. If you like chunky texture, then just lightly mash it with a potato smasher.
When I served the applesauce to my son as a dip for his toast, I was surprised to see him enjoying eating it, and finishing in no time. He even requested me to make more for his snack in future. Ever since then, applesauce has become a hit in my family. Applesauce can be used in a variety of ways, either as a side dish or dessert. Our favourite way now is to use it as jam spread. What is your favourite way of eating applesauce?
>>> Click on PAGE 2 BELOW for Homemade Applesauce Recipe.……………..
Good for my family morning breakfast, put on toast, yummy!
Peteformation: This is exactly what we are doing too. ;)!
LK, I love applesauce. Have made it for countless times. I like a touch of cinnamon in mine, but mine has no lemon juice, and I always use tart apples like Granny Smiths for mine. My fave way to serve it? With plain and sometimes, Greek yogurt! Yummy! Wait till I post mine up on my blog. Haven’t done so. But it’s on my Flickr page for a long time! Haha! What to do … Haiz … No time ar …
Take care!
Pei Lin: Thanks for sharing your fave way to eat applesauce. Can’t wait to see your post! I totally understand your situation. Just take your time. 😉
hi, how long can the sauce be kept in fridge?
Pikachiu: It can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 weeks (even though I have tried it for up to a month). In case you find mold inside the sauce before the suggested period, then please discard it immediately. 😉
LK, I didn’t know either! Your applesauce looks and sounds gorgeous, must try it one day since I have yet to try making my own 🙂 Your kid is so lucky to have you his very own nutritionist!
Jen (TOH): Thanks for your sweet comment. 😉
Scrumptious apple sauce, versatile for making desserts or savory dishes.
Christine: Yes, you’re right!! Thanks! 😉
It looks so delicious, i feel like making one for my son who has just recovered from stomach virus too (he has been vomiting for a week). but lemon peel means what?
Angeline: Thanks!! Hope it suits your son’s palate. It refers to strips of lemon rind. You can see it from the step by step photo. Sorry for the confusion. 😉
Wow! You are such a thoughtful Mom! This applesauce looks so delicious, I believe it must be appetizing on bread. 🙂
Alice: Thanks!! Yes, it is yummy not sweet at all. Give it a try! 😉
Oh I am bookmarking this for baby #2..haha
Peachkins: Wow! Congrats!! 😉
just today i was looking at a cupcake recipe that uses applesauce and before i google that, i saw that in your post title. i shall keep this recipe for future use, so useful!
Lena: Thanks! Hope it suits your palate. 😉
Thans for sharing the health benefits about apples. I remember my mom used to feed steamed apples to my little brother. Love your apple sauce.
MaryMoh: Thanks!! Yes, applesauce is great for kids. 😉
American loved to make applesauce but it’s not quite my thing.
Ching: Hahaha! Maybe you can make it this homemade version for your girls. 😉
just a thought –
maybe save the diarrhea discussion for a non-food related post. to use it in the first line of a recipe post is just WRONG.
This is very good info. for kids and adults. I love the idea of applesauce on toast. The only fresh fruit I have put on toast to-date is avocado. Yes, scoop super-ripe avocado, mash them up, serve on toast. Cinnamon is also good for regulating blood sugar in the body.
Tigerfish: Thanks!! I love avocado spread too. My way is to add a pinch of salt and some lemon juice to the avocado mash. 😉
I have always made applesauce for my son ’cause he loves it so much. I found a new way which we love and gives so much flavor & less mess (always good). Line a cookie sheet with foil (shiny side up), core and then cut apples in half (skins on), turn cut side down and bake @ 350 degrees for 40 minutes(turning pan halfway through baking). Remove skins (so easy)and add sugar, cinnamon and any other flavors you like. i find less sugar is required as baking naturally sweetens the apples more. Super easy :- )
Kim Burak: Thanks for your kind sharing! Love your method. Really sounds super easy and yummy! 😉
This looks delicious and perfect for my kids! I’d love for you to submit this to the M&T Spotlight over at http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight
Laurel: Thanks for dropping by and your kind invitation! Love your M&T Spotlight. I had just submitted it. 😉
wow! I never knew this! thanks for sharing!
What I cook for my little girl when she has diarhoea is chicken and apple porridge (came up with this idea when she was younger and only having porridge. Didnt wanna give her apple puree since we already moved on from puree, so i throw apple chunks into the porridge and it turned out to be a good move! YUMMY!
Sandra: Thanks! It’s my pleasure to share. Love your chicken and apple porridge!! I have never thought of using apple in porridge. How creative you are! 😉
Oh, just learnt how nutritious it is. Hope your son feeling better now.
Little Inbox: Thanks!! He is fine now. 😉
My husband loves to eat spaghetti with applesauce…this would be right one for him.
Angie: Wow! What an interesting way of eating applesauce! Got to try it out one day. 😉
Cooked apples is good for diarrhoea?? Didn’t know that! Thanks for the tip.
Pigpigscorner: Thanks! Glad you find it useful. 😉
nothing beats home-made sauce. recently the organic red delicious from US are on sale, this looks like a great recipe to put them to good use.
Noobcook: I need to check it out. Thanks for sharing! 😉
[…] Homemade Applesauce Food 4 Tots […]
Hello!! I just made applesauce just now as my son have diarrheoa today, its really simple to make:) mine turn out to be like apple puree in the end so i din even need to mash, hee.. Tks so much for sharing the benefits of this 🙂 gonna add some to his dinner as well and i hope he likes it 🙂 and im gonna make this as often as i can 🙂
Kelly: It’s my pleasure to share! Hope your son will have a sppedy recovery! 😉
[…] Homemade Applesauce Food 4 Tots […]
I make applesauce for my grandson and family with macoun apples. Using this sweeter apple, there is no need for sugar. we eat so much sugar in everything else, its nice to find a sweet apple that you can make applesauce with and leave the sugar out and have a delicious treat.
Marietta: Yup, I totally agree with you. It’s definitely the best way to eat healthily. So sad that there are’t any macoun apples available in the current market :(.
Awesome. Thank you for posting it. The only problem is to find someone to make it for me . Too sick. But will try. Thanks again.
Banu: Thank you for your compliment. Hope you have a speedy recovery! 🙂
Can i add honey or agave instead of sugar? My son is 21 months so honey is ok
Lizi: Sorry, I’m not sure as I haven’t tried either honey or agave before. You can give it a try if you want. 🙂
Which are your preferred apples to make this sauce?
Stef: I used any type of red apples (except for Fuji apple) that are in season. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this!! I was googling for applesauce recipe for my teen who is down with stomach flu. Am sure she will love this w toast. The recipe looks easy enough.
Minnie: It’s my pleasure to share. Hope your teen enjoy this and has a speedy recovery! 🙂