Golden Applesauce

This isn’t your usual applesauce. The mighty McIntosh is infused with pinches of heady saffron and perfumy star anise. The deep orange saffron threads give the sauce a light golden glow.

1/2 cup (125 mL) water or apple juice
1/4 tsp (1 mL) saffron threads
2 star anise
2 Tbsp (30 mL) butter
6 McIntosh apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped
1 to 3 tsp (5 to 15 mL) honey

In large saucepan, stir water or juice with saffron, star anise, and butter. Add coarsely chopped apples. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, just until apples are tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp (5 mL) honey. Mash to desired consistency. Taste and add more honey, if needed. Makes 3 cups (750 mL).

Each 1/4 cup (60 mL) serving contains: 48 calories; 0 g protein; 2 g total fat (1 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 9 g carbohydrates; 1 g fibre; 0 mg sodium

source: "The Amazing Apple", alive #323, September 2009