Healthy Fall Applesauce Parfait

Attempting to reduce our reliance on refined sugars, I’ve been making natural applesauce. This is a fanciful version that was pleasing to both the eyes and the palate. 

Healthy Fall Applesauce Parfait

Apples, cored & cut into chunks with the skins left on

A small amount of water, apple juice or apple cider (just a couple of tablespoons for 4 to 6 apples; the apples release their own natural juices as they cook)

 

Optional Flavorings:

Spices: add a cinnamon stick (or part of one) to apples at the beginning of the cooking period or add ground cinnamon and possibly some nutmeg as apples are blended

Honey: use only if needed for added sweetness

 

Optional Toppings:

Yogurt flavored with honey

Pomegranate seeds

Coarsely chopped walnuts 

1. Add prepared apples and a little water or juice to a saucepan or slow cooker (add cinnamon stick if using). If using saucepan, cover and cook on low until apples are tender. If using slow cooker, add ingredients to ceramic bowl and cook on high for a couple of hours or on low for about four hours. Test apples to make sure they are tender.
   
   
   
   
2. Cool and then add to the work bowl of a blender, blend until smooth. (Very small chunks of skin may remain.)
   
3. Taste and flavor with spices and honey if desired.
4. To create a parfait — add chilled applesauce to a parfait or juice glass. Top with honeyed yogurt, pomegranate seeds and walnuts. Or, add other toppings of your choice.  

Recipe without photos . . . Healthy Fall Applesauce Parfait

Apples, cored & cut into chunks with the skins left on

A small amount of water, apple juice or apple cider (just a couple of tablespoons for 4 to 6 apples; the apples release their own natural juices as they cook)

 

Optional Flavorings:

Spices: add a cinnamon stick (or part of one) to apples at the beginning of the cooking period or add ground cinnamon and possibly some nutmeg as apples are blended

Honey: use only if needed for added sweetness

 

Optional Toppings:

Yogurt flavored with honey

Pomegranate seeds

Coarsely chopped walnuts 

1. Add prepared apples and a little water or juice to a saucepan or slow cooker (add cinnamon stick if using). If using saucepan, cover and cook on low until apples are tender. If using slow cooker, add ingredients to ceramic bowl and cook on high for a couple of hours or on low for about four hours. Test apples to make sure they are tender.
2. Cool and then add to the work bowl of a blender, blend until smooth. (Very small chunks of skin may remain.)
3. Taste and flavor with spices and honey if desired.
4. To create a parfait — add chilled applesauce to a parfait or juice glass. Top with honeyed yogurt, pomegranate seeds and walnuts. Or, add other toppings of your choice.