Roasted Applesauce Recipe

At Home With Michael Chiarello | Chronicle, 2005

Most applesauce recipes call for cooking the apples on the stovetop from start to finish. But I prefer to start them on the stovetop and then finish them in a hot oven. The heat of the oven concentrates the apples’ flavor by drying and caramelizing them slightly. Although I’ve suggested a couple of apple varieties, you can use whichever cooking apples are in season where you live. Applesauce is so simple to make, it seems silly to even think of buying it. And the great thing about making your own is that you can flavor it in interesting ways.–Michael Chiarello

LC Applesauce Aplenty Note

We concur with all of Chiarello’s above assertions about appleasauce, including that last one about there being countless ways to fancy it up. Although of course there’s nothing wrong with spooning this artisanal applesauce up as-is, nothing wrong at all. But just in case you feel like playing loose and fancy free with this recipe, here are just a few suggestions, both expected and not-so-expected…

• Slip in an equal amount of agave nectar, maple syrup, or brown sugar in place of the honey.
• Add a splash of apple cider before roasting.
• Stir in 1/4 teaspoon ground spice, whether cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, or a combination.
• Toss in a handful of finely chopped crystallized ginger.
• Strew some finely chopped fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, over the apples.
• Go crazy and stir in some mashed banana or mashed berries, whether fresh or frozen.

Hands-On Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Serves 8

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Ingredients

12 (4 to 5 pounds) apples, preferably Gravenstein or McIntosh
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425° F (218°C).
2. Peel the apples and cut them into quarters. Remove the core and cut the apples into 1-inch chunks. As each apple is ready, place it in a large bowl and toss with the lemon juice.
3. Melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter begins to brown, add the apples and salt and sauté just until the edges begin to color, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the honey, stir well, and transfer to the oven. Roast until the apples are soft and lightly caramelized, 20 to 30 minutes. (For a less robust, more traditional applesauce flavor, cover the skillet prior to roasting.)
4. For chunky applesauce, reach for a fork, potato masher, or pastry blender and mash to the desired consistency.
For smooth applesauce, transfer the apple mixture to a food processor and purée. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold. (The applesauce can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.)

Hungry for more? Chow down on these:

Cranberry Applesauce with Fresh Ginger from Pinch My Salt
Oatmeal Blueberry Applesauce Muffins from Joy the Baker
Apple-Cherry Cardamom Strudel from Leite's Culinaria
Tibetan Apple and Honey Rice Pudding from Leite's Culinaria