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applesauce

Homemade Apple Sauce

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Crock Pot Apple Sauce

A blast from the past!

I’ve been blogging for over 5 years now!  I can’t believe it.  This is a very old post . . . my old camera, my hesitation to share my love of cooking, and being so clueless on how to have a blog that inspires!  Enjoy the walk down memory lane.  (and make some apple sauce–so insanely simple, so good for you and no sugar.)

[Tweet “I just learned how to make insanely simple, sugar free, super yummy apple sauce! “]

 

 

 
organic gala apples
One of my ideas for 1012 is to share one crock pot recipe a week.  I found a great deal on organic apples and thought that I would buy 15 pounds.  My first batch of applesauce is 5 lbs of apples cut into chunks with just enough water to cover the bottom of the crock pot.
 
 
 
 
 

All of those apples cooked down to this amount.  I added cinnamon once they were finished cooking.  During the cooking process I stirred the apples and they broke into chunky pieces and I sort of like that.  The kids love it.

I plan to freeze the rest of this recipe and the other 10 pounds of apples bound for sauce.

Thank you God for Aunt Clara Broda who made applesauce for me as a kid.  It amazes me how you intertwine people, ideas, and outcomes.

Today I’m linking up with Countdown 2012.

The best Garlic Recipe ever! Mojo de Ajo

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The Best Most Versatile Garlic Recipe EVER!

My husband and I love really great authentic mexican food.  It all started when we moved to Texas.  

garlic day

In Michigan, where I grew up, the selection of fruits and vegetables were limited and we certainly didn’t have cactus leaves or cow heads in the grocery store!  Yes, the first time I saw frozen cow heads I screamed!  

Not just a little gasp . . . I screamed AND ran!  The staff had a huge laugh about a “gringo” shopping in their store–but were always very helpful despite my broken Spanish.  

Mexican Cooking Classes 

Very close to our home was a Whole Foods store that had cooking classes each week.  I never intended to go to any of these classes but one night . . . I stopped to watch the demonstration.  It was fascinating.  The Whole Foods Chef made cooking authentic Mexican food seem easy . . . and it was–IF you had the correct ingredients.  My best friend and co-worker Paula took me to stores that I would have never ventured into by myself.  With her help I bought lime presses, a tortilla press, a terra cotta tortilla warmer and lots and lots of candles that had Jesus, Mary and almost every saint I could think of.  For two years I went every couple of weeks to the Whole Foods to learn more and more.

I highly recommend taking free cooking classes or demonstrations–it is a great way to learn something new without a huge time or money investment.  

 

 

[yumprint-recipe id=’10’]mojo

 

I love this flavored oil.  I use a little with pasta and veggies or with rice and more lime (I love limes!).  My husband cooks up a batch once a month for me and I feel blessed each time I use it.  It is like his gift to me.  Awwwwwhhh.  (Garlic is my love language!)

If you want daily inspiration you can follow me on Instagram, twitter or on the Renee’s Kitchen Facebook page.

Be Blessed.

L.O.V.E.,

Renee

Small Batch Canning

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I grew up on a farm.  We began canning when the strawberries were ripe and didn’t end until all the cucumbers and corn were harvested.  My job in the canning process was to wash the jars–I was the smallest and my tiny hands fit inside the small mouth jars perfectly.

In my effort to eat more whole foods–I am going back to my humble beginnings on the farm.  I will always be a farm girl in my heart!

Today I was able to can 5 pints at a time–I roasted peppers in the oven, made a spicy red dip, and homemade ketchup with a ton of different tomatoes–mostly organic from the CSA, the local farmers market, my own organic garden and a few from a neighbor at the cabin (probably not organic).

I’m not sure how much money I have saved but my house has been filled with the smells of roasted peppers, tomatoes, garlic and basil–my yield was a mere 15 pints–of love!

I would love to can applesauce but finding organic apples might prove to be cost prohibitive but I will continue the search.

I used a simple water bath method.  It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

My next step is to get a pressure cooker . . . like my Mom had . . .

Frugal<br /><br /><br /> Tuesday Tip buttonFinding Joy in My Kitchen