Apple Date Sauce with Vanilla Bean

Apple-Date Sauce infused with Vanilla Bean

• • 5 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

  • 14 pitted dates, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

  • juice of 1 lemon

  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped out (use both the seeds and the bean pod--you'll remove the pod later)

  • 2 cups water

Place all ingredients into a large stockpot; bring to a boil over medium heat; cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Reduce to medium low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened. Taste the liquid and adjust seasoning if desired.

Remove the vanilla bean pod from the pot. Using an immersion blender, puree apples and liquid until smooth (or you can leave slightly chunky if you like). Cool, then transfer to glass jars and store in the refrigerator. Makes about 4 1/2 cups.

Original Blog Post: Apple Date Sauce with Vanilla Bean