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The recipes this week rely on the apple family...mainly applesauce. What can I tell you about applesauce? Not much except it is made using apples, water and sugar. They can be cooked either with skin on or skin off. A recipe I found in an apple cookbook gives these instructions: In a large saucepan combine 4 medium apples, peeled, cored and cut in eights. Add 1/2 c. water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 10 minutes or until soft. Let cool a little, then put apples (about 2 c. at a time), and some juice into blender. Blend on high for just about 15-20 seconds, depending if you want chunky or smooth sauce. Turn into a sauce pan; heat sauce until hot. Stir in 2-4 T. sugar, depending how sweet the apples are. Serve warm or cold; sprinkle with a little cinnamon mixed with a little sugar if you wish. 

Note: Apples good for sauce are: McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Jonathans, and Paula Reds. If you don't have a blender, use a potato masher or an electric hand beater.

APPLESAUCE 'N CARROT WHEAT BREAD

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. unsweetened, applesauce

1 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. white flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1 c. shredded carrots

1 t. vanilla

1/4 c. chopped walnuts

2 eggs, slightly beaten

In a medium bowl, mix sugar and applesauce. Combine dry ingredients and add to applesauce mixture. Add carrots, vanilla, nuts and eggs; mixing well. Lightly coat a 9x5-inch load pan with cooking spray, then lightly with flour. Turn into pan; bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Bread will pull away from sides when done. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan onto wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

Makes 12 servings.

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APPLESAUCE NUGGET COOKIES

2 c. flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. allspice

1/2 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. cloves

1 c. chopped walnuts

1/2 c. shortening

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1 c. applesauce

1 t. baking soda

1 egg, well beaten

1 c. (6 oz. pkg.) butterscotch chips

In a medium bowl, combine flour and spices, except baking soda. Add nuts. In a small bowl, cream shortening and sugar; stir in flour mixture. In a small bowl combine applesauce and baking soda; add egg; add the creamed mixture. Mix in dry ingredients. Stir in butterscotch chips. Drop by teaspoons full 2 inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

TFD: Today is Veteran's Day, which we set aside to commemorate the service of women and men to our country. Take time to read the message plaques and the names of the men and women on the bricks at our Veteran's Memorial if you have not done so. If you have a family member or know someone who is a veteran, take time to thank them for their service. Don't forget to fly your flag today.

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