Cinnamon Applesauce

Applesauce from the store is just, well, applesauce from the store. Make it special - make it yourself.

I pulsate my cooked apples in the blender for just a few seconds, as I like it somewhat chunky. If you wish, pulsate until the applesauce is completely smooth. Also, adjust the sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice to your liking.

I prefer Mcintosh apples for applesauce. But Granny Smith is also a good choice.

Ingredients:

3 to 3 1/2 lbs peeled, cored and quartered apples

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 inches of cinnamon stick

1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 cup white granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Into a large pot, add all ingredients; cover and bring to a boil

Lower heat - simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove applesauce from heat; remove cinnamon stick.

After sauce slightly cools, pour into blender and pulsate a few seconds (longer for really smooth applesauce).

Ready to serve!

Store left-overs in refrigerator or freeze in plastic air-tight containers.

FUN: add green food coloring before freezing and serve during Christmas dinner.

Cranberry and marshmallow fruit salad

You just might be able to get kids to eat this fruit salad; the marshmallow lovin' kids, at least.

Little tartness from the cranberry sauce - little sweet from the mini marshmallows.

Make this in under five minutes!

Ingredients

1 can (16 ounce) whole-berry cranberry sauce

1 can (8 ounce) crushed pineapple, drained well

1 can (11 ounce) mandarin oranges, drained well

1 cup miniature marshmallows

optional - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

In mixing bowl, stir to combine cranberry sauce, crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges; fold in miniature marshmallows and chopped walnuts; transfer to serving dish. Store any leftovers in refrigerator.

Note -- This makes a nice fruit salad at Christmas time; instead of white miniature marshmallows, use green... you've already got your red from the cranberry sauce!