Applesauce [Dairy free, Gluten free, Grains free, Sugar free]

I have dabbled with applesauce often -  it's always been just apples cooked in water and pureed, sometimes with a hint of lemon juice for additional flavouring.  Recently, poring through various recipe books and online indexes, a whole variety of flavourings emerged from various recipes or apple sauce.  In keeping this applesauce Paleo detox friendly but including coconut flakes, and presenting options for those who prefer a sweeter version, my attempt at this sauce is a good one.  As one of  those sauces I have endeared myself to due to my love for apples, I have used various apples - Pink lady and Granny Smith apples are those favoured by me but I use just the Pink ladies in this applesauce.  A combination of both the Granny Smith and the Pink Lady adds to the natural flavour and taste of the apples.

Ingredients

4 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into even, small pieces
3/4 – 1 cup water
1 tblsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon powder, optional
1/2 tsp vanilla extract, optional
2-3 tblsp coconut flakes or dessicated coconut 
Date paste or honey about a tablespoon, for a sweeter sauce
 
Here's How

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• Add 3/4 cup water to a non-stick pot and bring to a rapid boil.  Then add in the rest of the ingredients, and cover with a lid. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes, or until the apples are tender.  The coconut flakes should be added after the sauce is blended for some crunch, if using.

• Once the apples are soft, remove from the stove top and blend in a blender or food processor.  An immersion or stick blender works well too

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• Add the remaining 1/4 cup water if necessary to get the smooth creamy consistency.
• Use as preferred as a topping, in baked treats or eating a spoonful on its own

This recipe makes about 2 cups of applesauce