Apples Three Ways: Grilled Apple "Pizza", Chunky Applesauce, and Apple "Sandwiches"

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away," right?  I love apples and am not sure if the saying is entirely true, but I'm a willing participant.  The other day, a brand new "Taste of Home" magazine was in my mailbox.  I don't remember ordering it (surprise, surprise) but I can't get enough of food magazines, so I was thrilled to look through it.  Of course, there were pages dedicated to fall apple recipes and it dawned on me that I've never tried to make homemade applesauce. Thus, the apple-inspired weekend began.   So, I made the applesauce (mostly for my little one - but we loved it too!)  and I found this adorable apple "pizza" recipe too.  I lightened up the "pizza" and it's a "deliciously fall" dessert.  I have also included a third apple recipe that I found while browsing around in "blogland" the other night.  It is the most adorable apple "sandwich" from an equally adorable blog (please visit!):  http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2011/09/apple-sandwiches.html

Grilled Apple Pizza 
adapted from R. Sandlin in "Taste of Home"

3-5 tart apples, peeled and sliced
Refrigerated pizza crust
1 tbsp. butter
Splash of apple juice
3 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
*extra melted butter for grilling
Optional:  cream cheese frosting, caramel sauce, raisins


1.  Brush the pizza crust with a little bit of butter and cook on a covered grill until golden brown.
2.  Meanwhile, place apples and tbsp. of butter in a saute pan and cook until apples are tender (this is where I added the splash of apple juice to avoid adding more butter).
3.  When apples are softened, add cinnamon and sugar.
4.  Place apple mixture on baked pizza crust.
5.  Top with anything of your choice!  We used raisins, caramel, and cream cheese frosting.

***I baked the crust in a pie pan in the oven due to the never-ending rain we're experiencing and it worked well - but it would be fun to do this on the grill!

Chunky Applesauce
adapted from D. Amrine in "Taste of Home"

4 cups of chopped, peeled tart apples (I recommend Braeburn, Granny Smith apples are a little too tart)
1/4 c. brown sugar
1. tsp cinnamon
dash of vanilla extract

1.  Cook apples with cinnamon and sugar in a covered dutch oven until tender.  Stir occasionally.

2.  Mash with a fork and add vanilla.
3.  Serve warm or chilled.

*This would make a great topping to a pork dish, or on ice cream.




Apple "Sandwiches"
By:  Crystal at "Mrs. Happy Homemaker"

Visit: http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2011/09/apple-sandwiches.html
 to see the ingredients for this adorable recipe!  It's a must try for apple and peanut butter lovers!