Pinch me! Today is a super-special day for me, it's our oldest grandson, Jack's, 8th birthday and therefore the day I wanted to release my very first Sweet Christmas Novella: Christmas Comes to Apple Grove.
For those of you who've read my Small Town USA Series, the patriarch of the Mulcahy family, Joe, has been widowed for more than a decade. Christmas is a time for miracles, and Joe deserves that miracle--a second chance at love.
~ ~ ~
Joe
Mulcahy’s Second Chance at Love…or is it?
Now
that his three daughters are settled and busy with families of their own, he’s
ready to declare himself to the lovely widow, Mary Murphy. But timing in life
is everything…and Joe’s plans go awry.
Christmas
is a Time for Miracles
Apple
Grove’s residents are in on the plan to keep Mary and Joe from letting pride
and bruised feelings get in the way of what’s really important—their love for
one another.
~ ~ ~
Recipe Share ~ C.H.'s No Sugar Applesauce
Recipe Share ~ C.H.'s No Sugar Applesauce
Since my stories are set in the fictional town of Apple Grove, I decided to share my go-to super easy applesauce recipe. And since I couldn't find the pictures of the last time I made applesauce with Macs, I had to cook some up! No hardship for my guys--grandsons included--they love homemade applesauce. ;)
By far my favorite apples to use are McIntosh and in a pinch Rome apples. They are sweet enough without having to add any sugar, and in my darling hubby's case a Godsend since he's diabetic and has to watch his carbs and sugars very carefully.
And...now to the recipe, which is kindof like my Grandmother Purcell's stuffing recipe in that I don't really use quantities, I do it by eye.
C.H.'s No Sugar Applesauce
6 McIntosh Apples* (or the apple of your choice, but remember if they are not sweet on their own, you may have to do the taste-test and add sugar as needed)
*I cut them in half and half again, cutting out the core--DO NOT SKIN THEM--and then cut the quarters into smaller pieces. (they cook more uniformly)*
Place in saucepan and add in enough water to cover the bottom to about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch or so.
Cook on low heat, checking to see if you need a dash more water, so the apples do not burn. NOTE: some apples are a bit drier if they are older.
Using your potato masher squish the apples down as they cook. Don't worry about the skins, they turn the applesauce a lovely pinkish color ;)
When they apples have cooked down and are soft, I put them through my mini food mill, it collects any random apple seeds that I missed along with the skins, which I don't like in my apple sauce. Just need the fabulous flavor and color ;)
Optional: add cinnamon to your own bowl...at least that's what I tell my guys. I think the apple is perfect on it's own sans sugar or cinnamon, but that's just me. LOL.
Enjoy!
~ ~ ~
For those of you who've spent time in Apple Grove, I'll be releasing the Sweet Version of my series beginning in January 2020. Love, love my new covers, created by author and graphic artist, Sahara Kelly.
Coming January 17, 2020
Coming February 17, 2020
Coming March 9, 2020
To celebrate, I'm giving away three (3) copies of Christmas Comes to Apple Grove--Reader's choice of print or e-book!
To enter, leave a comment...Do you believe in miracles?
May your life be filled with Christmas
blessings all year long!
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