Ultra Easy Recipe for Homemade Applesauce

I make this recipe from October until early spring. My refrigerator is always stocked with a container of homemade applesauce. It couldn't be any simpler to prepare, so easy, in fact, that I tweeted it in less than 140 characters on Twitter! It’s one of those recipes that I frequently share with friends and family. It is also a surprisingly decent substitute for apple pie. Well....of course, nothing takes the place of a real apple pie, but this is a close second and far better at cutting the calories.

Choose any combination of apples, that you prefer. I generally use a mix of empire, gala, granny smith, and yellow delicious apples. Wash the apples. I do not peel them, but that’s a personal choice. Cut the apples in small pieces; be careful to remove the core. If you have a strawberry huller, it is a convenient tool for removing the core, after cutting each apple in half.

Place apple pieces in a microwave safe baking dish. Add enough water so that the bottom half of the apples are submerged. That's it: apples and water only.

Cover the container with waxed paper or a microwave cover. Microwave on high until apples are tender. I prepare a huge quantity and end up cooking them for approximately 25 minutes on high. Each microwave is different. Periodically, stir and mash the apples to preferred consistency - - chunky or smooth. Cook until desired tenderness.

Remove the container from the microwave. Mash and stir well. Continue to cover the container, while the apples further soften and the flavors meld.

The applesauce is particularly delicious reheated in the microwave, smothered with cinnamon. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

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Budget Friendly Sites for the College Student and Graduate (and their parents!)

A new type of site has been cropping up which offers a daily discount to a variety of options in your area: restaurants, entertainment, services, retail, and more.

Here is how it works: You register to receive their daily email. Once you receive the email, you can decide if the deal is worth purchasing for immediate or future use. Often multiples can be purchased. Even better, you may begin to receive deals for places you already frequent. The deals are unbeatable. The catch: they are usually only available for purchase until midnight on the day you receive the email. There are some exceptions, so check the site for specific regulations.

As an example, my daughter purchased the first deal I emailed to her when she relocated to her new city last fall. That deal included $35 worth of food and beverage, for the cost of $15, at a tapas restaurant. She and her friends all purchased the deal and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at a modest price, including entertainment. In fact, they enjoyed the restaurant so much they purchased another for future use.

There are other benefits specific to each site. For instance, on the daily deal site known as Groupon, if you email your link to a friend and they purchase the deal through your link, your account will be credited with $10 towards your future purchases. The credits may ultimately provide you with a free deal. Gift certificates are also available.

If your city is not listed, keep checking back, since they are rapidly expanding.

And, by the way, your parents will be thrilled with the benefits offered on these sites, so share this posting with them.

Check out these sites and let me know what you enjoy most:

Groupon

Living Social

Buy With Me



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Thanks,
Mom
Follow me on Twitter: @MomBlogsBest

A Chocolaty Chili Recipe Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday

In time for the big game, I am reposting my recipe for chocolaty chili, which recently appeared in a few local newspapers. Give it a try, and let me know what you think. Do you have a favorite chili recipe you’d like to share? Please let me know.





Please Note: If you are reading a posting from this blog
through sources other than the actual blog or a subscription to the blog,
you can find additional postings from Mom Knows Best at:
http://bloggermomknowsbest.blogspot.com/
where you will also find a link enabling you to subscribe directly to the blog.
Thanks,
Mom
Follow me on Twitter: @MomBlogsBest