Browned Butter Rosemary Applesauce
I know that tonight is the last night of Hanukkah, but I really wanted to share this applesauce recipe with you. So, why not do what I’m doing and make one last special Hanukkah meal before you pack away the menorah? You can even use this decadent applesauce to make it extra special. If you are done with the latkes and applesauce though, don’t worry, this applesauce is rich enough to go straight through the new year and beyond. What makes it so good? The browned butter.
My quick and easy applesauce is simply apples and water with a dash of cinnamon. But when I really want to make it pop (ie I’m entertaining guests) I put in a little extra effort by adding some rosemary and browned butter. The rosemary gives it a nice fall flavor and the browned butter adds a richness you definitely won’t find in a jar.
While it may be easier to pick up a jar of applesauce at your local grocery store, there isn’t a single brand out there that will give you the flavor of this or any other homemade applesauce. And if you’re concerned about the effort needed to create this recipe, I’m here to tell you, it’s super simple. All you need is a pan, the apples and a fork and you’re good to go. Of course be careful with that fork, one taste and you may never leave the stove… unless it’s to get more apples, butter and rosemary.
Browned Butter Rosemary Applesauce
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 cups apple cider
- 4 pounds Pink Lady or Gala apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 cup butter
Directions:
- Place the cider, chopped apples, cinnamon sticks and rosemary into a 3 quart sauce-pan over low heat. Cover and let simmer for at least 15-20 minutes or until the apples are fork soft.
- Drain the cider, remove the cinnamon sticks and rosemary sprigs and mash the apples with a fork or potato masher.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over medium-low heat, swirling the whole time until it turns a golden brown. (Make sure you watch it, otherwise your brown butter will turn to burned butter and we don’t want that.)
- Whisk the butter into the applesauce and serve by itself or on top of your favorite meat or potato pancake.
