Mimi's Applesauce

Ingredients

 * from the sneaky kitchen: a karen danielson recipe
 * 6 large apples, peeled and cored
 * 3 tbsp water
 * 1 tsp ground cinnamon
 * 1/4 tsp ground nutmet
 * 1 cup sugar, white granulated
 * 1 can whole cranberry sauce (optional

Directions
STOVE TOP PREPARATION: Slice apples into heavy sauce pan or Dutch oven. Add the 3 tablespoons of water and cook, covered, over medium-high heat until apples are soft and mushy. Stir frequently to make sure apples don't stick to bottom of pan and scorch. Add more water if apples seem dry and do not seem to be releasing a lot of juice while cooking. When apples are done, remove from heat and mash with a potato masher for chunky sauce, or mix with hand-held immersion blender if a smoother sauce is desired. Add sugar and spices and return to heat. Cook, uncovered, on simmer, until sugar is dissolved. MICROWAVE VERSION: Slice apples into micro-safe cooking dish (not plastic, please). Add 3 tablespoons of water and microwave on high, stirring occasionally, until apples are soft and mushy. Add more water if apples seem dry and are not releasing a lot of juice while cooking. When apples are done, remove from microwave and mash with potato masher for chunky sauce, or mix with hand-held immersion blender if a smoother sauce is desired. Add sugar and spices and return to microwave. Cook covered, on high, for 1 or 2 more minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Note: if using cranberry sauce, add with the sugar. Serving Ideas: Serve warm or chilled, however you prefer. It's delicious served warm, right off the stove, spooned on top of a bowl of vanilla ice cream or on frozen yogurt!! For variations, hints and more serving ideas, see http://sneakykitchen.com/Recipes/mimis_applesauce.htm