Rain Makes Applesauce

Drip, drip, drip. Splatters, splashes. It's been a rainy couple days here in So Cal, and boy are we glad for it. Drought is a serious business, and though our lawn is probably a little more green than it should be, we try to conserve water in other areas (hooray for using the drought as another excuse for not getting a shower in today! Or skipping bath time!). Trying to figure out what to do on a rainy day can be a bit of a chore, though, when you're used to being able to just get the whole crew outside when you start driving each other bonkers. Splashing in puddles loses its novelty once you get thoroughly soaked and cold.




So I was glad today (the 2nd rainy day in a row - a true blessing *and* rarity) for the idea I got from a close fellow mama friend to make homemade apple sauce with my kids on rainy days. She got the idea from a book titled "Rain Makes Applesauce" - a book we both think has some funky pictures, but nevertheless a great title. Now - bear with me. I know going all "making homemade food with kids" is not every mama's idea of a good time, and if that's not you I totally get it! But I still like the idea of creating a tradition surrounding rainy days - making them something to celebrate and even look forward to, especially if they aren't the norm where you live. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup? Hot chocolate? Pajama day? There are a bunch of simple ways to celebrate rain - I'm sure you have some! 

Making the applesauce itself is a pretty easy gig, especially if you have a food processor, and my kids really enjoyed helping with some parts of the process. We have an apple peeler/corer/slicer, so using that particular tool has a certain appeal. We enjoyed getting everything into the pot before eating lunch so that it could simmer, and then when lunch was finished all we had to do was process the sauce and eat it...with ice cream. There are a million ways you could modify an apple sauce recipe, but if you just want the basics, here they are:

4 apples

1/2 to 1 cup of juice (my friend recommends pineapple, but you can use apple juice or just water!)

2-3 T brown sugar, to taste

cinnamon

Core, peel and dice or slice apples into small bite-sized chunks. Add to pot. Add juice/water until apples are about 1/3-1/2 covered. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and add 2-3 T of brown sugar (if you have apples that are more sweet, like honeycrisps, less sugar may be needed. If your apples are more tart, more sugar can help balance out the sweet/tart combo). Cover and cook on medium low, stirring occasionally, until soft. Then put everything in a food processor and whip it up. I like chunky apple sauce, so I try not to "over blend" it. Best to serve it warm on a rainy day, with a little bit of vanilla ice cream. Even better if you invite friends over to enjoy it with you!