I am taking a break from all the grilling I have been doing. Here is a little something sweet, simple, fruity and refreshing. I make homemade applesauce all the time. I highly suggest you try doing it too if you have not all ready. Something extra special and happy takes place when you combine juicy red strawberries with crisp apples.
Before we get down to the business of applesauce I want to make sure you have had the opportunity to share an appetizer link in the Get Grillin’ event I am hosting with Dara from Cookin’ Canuck. Any appetizer will do, it does not have to be grilled. The more participation in this online BBQ party the more fun! Besides you can win a year of virtual cooking school over at Rouxbe. Sounds like fun huh!
Now on to apples and strawberries….
While I was chopping apples for this sauce, my kids were up to other things. A peacock and a bride were dashing around while I cooked. All the doors were open, cool fresh air was mingling with the smell of simmering applesauce.
As most of you know by now applesauce is a favorite over here. We love it on it’s own, in baked goods and layered in parfaits. Every morning I dip each bite of my favorite stuffed french toast in it. I also adore it tucked inside a hot stack of pancakes. Call me a simple gal. OK, a high maintenance sometimes simple gal.
Playing dress up and making applesauce are simple tasks…..
All you need to do is use your favorite apples and heat them up with a smidge of water with a few cups of fresh or frozen strawberries. I make about 8 cups at a time and it stores well in my fridge for weeks. Put portions of applesauce in 4 ounce containers for lunch box snacks. A single 1/2 cup serving is a great mini meal when paired with a healthy fat and protein dense cheese stick.
Did I tell you I am heading out to New Orleans tomorrow for a most amazing adventure with some of my favorite bloggers? Follow along on our trip to NOLA via tweets and Facebook posts. The trip is sponsored by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board. I am so excited!
Do you make homemade applesauce? If so do you add any unique ingredients?
Yet another applesauce recipe I must try. I love when you do these. Got me thinking, though, I might need to see about trying rhubarb applesauce.
You and I must try rhubarb applesauce, great idea! I love rhubarb and have not had it in years. People have been posting the most amazing recipes with it!
Rhubarb is one of my favorite foods. I’m always trying to find new things to do with it. I’m not sure why I never thought of applesauce before.
Okay! I happen to have some rhubarb growing beside the house. I made two rhubarb crisps (and posted the recipe on my site) Next, I’m going to make some rhubarb apple sauce. YUM!
Lisa, rhubarb applesauce has been on my to-do list for some time. Gotta get me some rhubarb though, you are lucky to have it growing in your yard.
This looks fabulous. I need to try a flavored applesauce. I’m thinking mango.
You don’t even want to see what’s on my blog today. Really. Have a great time in New Orleans!!
Lori, I have a mango applesauce post. LOVE that combination. Now I must dash over to your blog to see what you have going on. Here is the link to my Mango Applesauce.
I love applesauce so, so much, as well as strawberries! Did you make this combo just for me? 😉
Jessica, of course I made it just for you 😉 You will need to fight off my kids for it though!
Love this! Applesauce is such a nice treat on a hot day! The strawberry idea is lovely!
Gorgeous recipe! Perfect for summer, see you soon girl!!
I’ve never made my own applesauce but it seems so easy! I’ve got to make a batch sometime. Love the little fruit flowers you put in the middle of the bowls – so cute!
Rachel, I have posted so many different varieties of applesauce it is becoming a unique challenge figuring out how to style each post. Glad you like the strawberry flowers, I thought they were whimsical & fun too! Girl, you gotta try making your own applesauce some time soon. It tastes better than anything in a jar & is way less expensive. Let me know if you try.
What a flavourful applesauce!!! Can’t wait to try it out myself as strawberries are on offer now. Thanks for sharing this great recipe. 😉
A healthy, delightful and soothing applesauce! That combination is lovely.
Cheers,
Rosa
“soothing” I like that word Rosa. This applesauce is soothing. The smell as it cooks on the stove is heavenly!
Great idea to add strawberries. Love your cute apple dishes.
Barbara, love when I have the opportunity to take out those little apple bowls!
There aren’t many things better than homemade applesauce! And I love your adorable apple bowls, how perfect!
I used to have strawberry applesauce all the time from a package and it never looked this good! Holy yum!
Love the idea of mixing in some strawberries! Yum!..and by the way, I’ve never seen a cuter peacock or prettier princess! ADORABLE!
What a beautiful recipe…I love keeping things simple! Wonderful blog and photos too! Have fun in New Orleans – sounds like so much (delicious) fun!!!!!
I love the addition of strawberries. This sounds delicious!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
The applesauce looks great and infusing it w/ strawberries sounds heavenly!
“Do you make homemade applesauce? If so do you add any unique ingredients?”
When Skylar was in that baby/toddler stage, I made homemade applesauce almost daily…throw a whole apple in the vitamix, add a squirt of agave, and in 10 secs, we had homemade applesauce 🙂 No boiling, peeling, waiting. Fabulous! And I’d put in oranges or anything else I needed to use up.
I love homemade applesauce and am going to make it next time with strawberries! Your presentation is so lovely!
I’ve made applesauce before, but never with strawberries. Fantastic! You always make everything look so beautiful and appealing:)
neat idea 🙂 soon enough will be back into weaning food 🙂 would work well
Rebecca, this would be great for little ones. Babies and toddlers love applesauce. Granted mostly everyone I know loves it. A healthy comfort food!
We love apple sauce at our house too! We usually put all of the leftover fruits together and make a random sauce, always in a base of apples. To save time, I just blend the fruit and serve. Its raw, flavorful, and quick!
Leanne, I have been doing that a lot too. Fruit sauces are more of a method anyway. For the sake of those folks who have never made homemade applesauce I always give measurements – meant to be loosely interpreted! Do you not cook yours? I guess if I had a Vitamix I could just blend everything without cooking first. Gosh do I need one of those!
Marla, thanks for sharing another fresh applesauce recipe, this time with strawberries. Now that fresh strawberries are in season, I’ll definitely have to try this recipe!
Forgot to mention – love the pics of your cutey kids!
wow that looks good! a nice break from the usual applesauce.
Could that peacock be any cuter? 🙂
Thanks Molly, my little guy had a blast running around wearing that thing. He wanted to wear it in the car, only problem was there was no way it could fit in his car seat.
That peacock costume is fantastic! So is the applesauce 🙂 My mother in law makes the best homemade applesauce. My kids devour it!
Kristin, have you shared the recipe for your mother-in-laws applesauce? If you say it is the best I need to know her secret. Isn’t that peacock costume a hoot! Funny how he wanted nothing to do with it on Halloween, but it was super fun to wear the other day 🙂
Your pinky applesauce sounds perfect! My husband loves his spaghetti Bolognaise with applesauce.
Thanks, Marla, for sharing it.
Angie, that is a very interesting combination. Spaghetti Bolognese with applesauce. You must share more details on that…..does he have a side of applesauce, is it in the sauce…or for dessert? I am very intrigued.
This looks delicious and I love the cute apple dishes you used!
LOVE LOVE…picking up some organic strawberries today so this is added to the must-make list
What a fun applesauce. And your kids are too cute for words!
strawberries are on all of our brains! this looks so good. i would eat this as a snack.x
Beautiful pics! I also love to make homemade applesauce – there’s something so comforting about it! The strawberries in there look great, I bet that is a fantastic combo. And your kiddos are just adorable!!
I just love this recipe, the strawberry lends it’s natural sweetness and the color is so lovely. I can’t wait to see your pictures from NOLA, have a blast! And make sure to eat a Muffaletta and a beignet with chicory coffee, xo.
Enjoy NOLA – so jealous! this looks yummy and the kids look so adorable.
What a great twist on applesauce, Marla. I hope you have a fantastic time in New Orleans. I can’t wait to read all about it!
I love homemade applesauce. I just made some rhubarb applesauce. Still need to post it:) WIll have to try this next!
Maria, I have had rhubarb applesauce on my mind too. Can’t wait to see your post!
have fun in NOLA, my love!
I adore homemade applesauce and would never have thought to infuse it with strawberries! What a great idea!
What a cute little peacock and bride you have! Yes, I do make applesauce all the time, but I have to admit I’m pretty boring with my flavor combinations. I usually make it plain or with pears and just vary the spices a bit.
Sylvie, I love applesauce with pear too. Not boring at all girl. Even just apples and cinnamon is great in our world. The peacock and bride had a very happy day. I was thrilled to capture it in pictures, even though a bit blurry 😉
This sounds just delightful, and what a great use for the strawberries that are just starting to show up here in the Midwest.
I love making homemade applesauce but I can’t wait to try out your strawberry applesauce. It looks sooo good and I love the color!
Thanks Lindsey, pink applesauce makes me so happy!
This is such a fun post, Marla! The kiddos look adorable and I love your description of the fresh air mingling with the smell of simmering applesauce…it sounds like home to me! Hope you’re having a wonderful time in New Orleans!
I love the apple shaped dishes. where did you get them?
Thanks for the amazing recipe. Your kids look lovely in those dresses.
made it with blueberries since we didn’t have strawberries on hand. Tasty!!
Awesome & great way to improvise!