I grew up in an *orcharding* region, which apparently isn’t even a real word, but that’s what I’ve always called it. In fact, the house I grew up in is located in an old apple orchard. So, you could say that I’m familiar with all the forms of apples, including one of my favorites: apple butter.
While this puree isn’t exactly apple butter (there isn’t even sugar in it!), somehow the addition of pears and cinnamon turn this simple apple puree into a sweet, velvety sauce that we eat by the spoonful.
To prepare, I usually steam just the apples and not the pears, as long as the pears are ripe. If the pears feel firm though, go ahead and chuck those in the steamer as well. And let me clarify what I mean by steamer. I use a big pot fitted with a steamer basket. Simply bring a few inches of water to a boil and then place the peeled and cored fruit in the steamer insert and let cook for a few minutes. After that, all that is left is to puree the fruit, which I do in my trusty food processor. Oh, and add a dash of cinnamon (can’t forget the cinnamon!!).
The recipe I wrote makes enough for two decent sized servings. However, if you try it and love it like I do, I whole-heartedly recommend making a triple batch or larger. The sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for several days or can be frozen for up to three months.
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PinDescription
Fresh apples and ripe pears turn into this sweet, velvety puree with a dash of cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 2 apples, peeled and cored
- 2 pears, peeled and cored
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a pot fitted with a steamer insert.
- When the water is boiling add the apples. If the pears are very firm, go ahead and add those too. You can skip steaming the pears if they are soft and ripe.
- Steam the fruit for 4 minutes.
- Allow to cool slightly for a few minutes, then place the fruit in a food processor and puree until smooth.
- Mix in cinnamon and serve when cool.
Keywords: apple pear butter puree
