Caramelized Applesauce With Pecans And Golden Raisins Recipes

CARAMELIZED APPLESAUCE WITH PECANS AND GOLDEN RAISINS

Steps:

• Soak raisins in cognac (brandy or apple juice) in a small bowl.
• Peel and coarsely chop apples (yeild a generous 6 cups).
• Bring all ingredients (except 1 Tbs butter, raisins and pecans) to a boil in a large saucepan.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Cover and cook over medium-low heat 20-25 minutes or until apples are very soft, stirring occasionally.
• Increase heat to medium.
• Add remaining 1 Tbs butter.
• Cook uncovered 5-8 minutes or until apples are light brown and caramelized, stirring frequently.
• Stir in raisins and pecans, cook 1 minute.
• Serve warm or cool completely; cover and store in refrigerator.

GOLDEN RAISIN AND PECAN THINS

Steps:

• Place a baking sheet on center rack of oven and heat to 350 degrees. Butter three 5 3/4- by 2 1/4-inch or four 4 1/4- by 2 1/2-inch mini loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and butter the paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk both flours, sugar, tarragon or fennel seeds, baking soda and salt Add buttermilk and stir until smooth. Fold in pecans and raisins until evenly distributed. Divide among prepared pans, filling 1/4-inch from the top (batter will rise slightly in the oven), and smooth tops.
• Place pans on baking sheet and bake until loaves are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Slide a thin-bladed knife around the pan edges. Carefully invert the loaves onto a wire rack, and discard the parchment. Cool completely, right side up on the rack.
• Freeze loaves on a pan until very firm, at least 1 hour or up to 5 days.
• Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Working with one frozen loaf at a time, cut 1/8-inch-thick slices with a sharp serrated bread knife. Arrange slices on prepared pan, spacing them 1/4-inch apart. Bake one pan at a time until crackers are browned and crisp, about 20 minutes. Use a metal spatula to transfer crackers to wire racks and let cool completely.

GRANDMA'S APPLESAUCE CAKE WITH RAISINS AND PECANS

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar till light.
• Add eggs, beating well after each addition.
• Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture alternately with applesauce.
• Stir in raisins and pecans.
• Turn batter into greased and lightly floured pan (13 x 9 x 2-inch).
• Bake at 350 F about 45 minutes to till done.
• Cool in pan.
• (an additional 1/3 cup raisins can be substituted for the 1/2 cup of pecans, if desired).