Lunchbox Applesauce

Healthier and tastier than store-bought options, this homemade applesauce mixes well with cottage cheese. Use a blend of different apples—like Gala, Golden Delicious, Fiji, and Granny Smith—to create a more complex taste.

Ingredients

• 6 medium apples, unpeeled, cored
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• ½ cup apple cider
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon almond extract
• 2 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon each of allspice, nutmeg, and ginger

Directions

1. Dice apples into ½-inch cubes and coat with lemon juice.
2. Bring cider to a boil in a saucepan with Teflon™ nonstick coating. Cook until the liquid reduces by half.
3. Add apples and cook uncovered 12-15 minutes, stirring often.
4. Stir in the maple syrup, almond extract, and spices.
5. Cook on low another 5 minutes until apples are tender but holding their shape; transfer to a bowl and mash with a wire whisk.
6. Serve warm or cold. Store in the refrigerator.