Posted on: Wednesday, December 8, 2004
RECIPE DOCTOR
Low-calorie applesauce is sweet
By Elaine Magee
Q. I'm looking for an easy applesauce recipe that is sweet and flavorful but low in calories.
A. I'm reminded around this time of year of the wonders of homemade applesauce. Not only is applesauce a featured side dish on many a Hanukkah table, but it's also peak time for apples in the supermarkets. I've got to say, I'm not a big applesauce eater (maybe it goes back to a bad childhood applesauce experience), but I loved this homemade applesauce.
I'm sweetening this applesauce with half sugar and half Splenda. I added a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or apple-pie spice for just the right amount of flavor (but you can adjust the amount as desired). The part I like the most about this recipe is that you mash the apples right in the pot with a potato masher. Your older kids or pre-teens are the perfect age to do this for you, too.
Original recipe (with 1 cup of sugar) contains 197 calories and 51 grams of carbohydrate per serving.
SIMPLE SPICY (& LIGHT) APPLESAUCE
Place chopped apples in a large, nonstick saucepan. Stir in water, sugar, Splenda and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until apples are tender, about 10 minutes.
Use a potato masher to break cooked apples up into a purée. Stir in ground cinnamon. Serve warm or cold.
Makes 8 (1/2-cup) servings.
• Per serving: 110 calories, .5 g protein, 27 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 3.3 g fiber, 2 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 0 percent. Omega-3 fatty acids 0 g. Omega-6 fatty acids 0 g. Weight Watchers points: 1. Elaine Magee is author of "The Change of Life Diet and Cookbook. Reach her at www.recipedoctor.com. Personal responses can't be provided. This column is distributed by Knight Ridder News Service.
