Thursday, May 7, 2009

Apple Butter (on the thrift)

swap blogpost
Recently I was able to try out another experiment in 'living on the thrift'. I have been filling a gallon size freezer bag with all of our left over apple cores and peels, with the plan to make apple butter in the future when the bag was full. With bag now full, my mad science experiment was ready, and the results were successful. After cooking and mashing I was left with about half a cup of yummy apple butter. The yield was a less then I hoped for, but I plan to improve that by buying some proper equipment. It isn't a jar full but with minimal supplies and time I was able to produce something tasty from something that would otherwise been thrown away.

Thrifty Apple Butter
1 gallon size ziploc bag of apple cores and peels
enough water to cover bottom of heavy pan

Place water and apple parts in heavy bottom pan. Bring water to a boil over medium heat, then turn down to a simmer and cover. Simmer for about a hour until the apple parts are very soft. Place colander over a large bowl. When apple parts are soft pour mixture into colander and press mixture through holes. If you have a food mill use it instead, you will be able to get a lot more apple pulp with a mill. Pour pulp back into pan and bring to a slow simmer. Cook (about an hour) until water has been evaporated and butter is a thick consistency.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen."
-G.K. Chesterton from The Innocence of Father Brown