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I've tried this with store bought applesauce and it just doesn't work. The jarred stuff is too sweet, lacking the necessary tang of fresh applesauce. Fortunately, fresh applesauce is easy to make! In a pinch, you can peel, core and cube a few apples (about two per person) and throw them in a sauce pan with a tiny bit of water. Cover with a lid and keep the flame low, stirring frequently until the apples start to soften. Mash slightly with a fork and you're done!

Applesauce with Cheddar Cheese and Almonds

To make this, simply but carefully warm some applesauce in a sauce pan (applesauce can scorch easily.) I use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups per person. Meanwhile, slice the cheddar cheese into 1/2 inch cubes, about 1/4 cup per person. If you don't have toasted almonds on hand, toast a few handfuls in your toaster oven (watch carefully!) or oven until they start to crisp and pop. Pull out immediately.

Ladle the warm applesauce into bowls and scatter the cheddar and almonds on top. If you're really hungry or about to go on a long hike or shovel the driveway, you may want to serve this with a bowl of hot oatmeal, preferably steel cut, sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon. This will take the apple pie analogy almost to completion!

Related: Faith's DIY Applesauce

(Image: Dana Velden)