Earthy notes of rooibos tea combine with sweet, crisp apples and pears in this take on a traditional applesauce. Sweetened with honey, it’s a natural snack, side dish or dessert your family will love!
Ingredients:
- Peeled and Cored Mixed Apples – Approx. 1/4 of a bushel
- Approximately 6 tsp. flavored rooibos of choice
- 2 Bosc (or similar pear) peeled and cored
- 4 cups filtered water
- Honey
- Vanilla
- Large stock pot
- Potato masher or hand blender (depending on texture you prefer)
- Water bath and canning supplies (optional)
Yields Approx. 4 Quarts
Directions:
- Brew 4 cups of flavored rooibos. This needs to be strong. Brew for 20 min.
- Peel, core and cut apples and pears into 1-2 inch cubes
- Combine rooibos, pears, and apples in stock pot. Cover and cook on high heat for approx. 15 min. (careful to stir so it will not boil over). Remove lid and continue to stir. Use a potato masher to help break down the apples. If you like a chunkier sauce a potato masher works, if you like a thinner sauce use a hand blender. Continue to cook the mixture down to the consistency you prefer for applesauce. On high heat for a thicker sauce it can take 45 minutes, stirring often, to prevent burning.
- Once applesauce is the consistency you prefer, take a tablespoon full and set aside to cool in order to taste. Then add honey to sweeten to taste. Start in 1/4 cup increments! When using Vanilla Rooibos, I put 2 tbsp. of vanilla and 1/2 cup of honey and the applesauce tastes like cream soda!
- Preserve as you wish – applesauce will freeze, it can also be hot water bath canned. Let cool if you are going to eat right away and enjoy!!!
Recipe by: Tammy Browning-Smith
