Homemade Applesauce in the Crockpot
Breakfasts
Granola bars
Hard-boiled eggs, juice
Granola, fruit
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Muffins (from the freezer), fried eggs
Steel Cut Oats, fruit
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Morning Glory Muffins (from the freezer), scrambled eggsLunches
PB&J, Apples
Macaroni & Cheese, carrot sticks, apple slices
Tossed salad with feta cheese and dried cranberries
Egg salad sandwiches, carrot sticks, apples
Cheese quesadillas, grapes
Leftovers x 2Dinners
Lasagna, toasted rolls, tossed salad, fruit
Macaroni & Cheese with Beef, frozen veggies, fruit salad
Lasagna (yes, we’re having it twice this week; my mom gave me a huge pan of it as a birthday present since it’s my favorite!), toasted rolls, frozen broccoli, fruit salad
Frito Chili Pie, tossed salad, fruit salad
Dinner with Extended Family x 2
Dinner outFreezer Cooking Session (I’ll share more details and pictures on how this goes on Thursday.)
Easy Crockpot Apple Butter
Cook up Pinto Beans to freeze, Make Frito Chili Pie
Macaroni & Cheese with Beef,
Homemade Applesauce (I’m going to do this on a separate day since I only have one crock pot.)
What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.
Cheryl says
We did applesauce in the crock pot, but also a jumbo batch in a turkey roaster in the oven at 300 degrees, about 2-3 hours. So easy! Then blended it in the blender and froze most of it.
Emma says
I buy second apples, the local orchard sells them for $13 dollars a bushel. I then rinse them off in water, and just cut them into 4 pieces and add about a cup or two water to a kettle and cook it till the apples are soft, and then run it through my kitchen aid juicer attached to my mixer, or a strainer and add sugar and vanilla. It is a lot easier then cutting out the spots and you get a lot more sauce then coring and peeling. Applesauce you can can and freeze, I have done 2 bushels and I froze some and canned some. Oh and my chickens get the waste from the strainer.
IanMaddox says
I recently adapted a Martha Stewart recipe for this. It called for 1 cup of brown sugar and I was able to cut it down to 1/2 cup. It was great!
Bridie @ I Heart Veggies says
Here is our vegetarian menu plan for the week
http://www.iheartveggies.net/p/weekly-menu.html
Amy S says
Our menu plan this week includes some new spent grain rolls and pizza dough. My significant other brews beer as a hobby and I took some of the left over grain and made bread and pizza dough. It turned out wonderful.
Laura says
Happy Birthday, Crystal! May God bless you and your family all year. What you do means so much to us!
Emily says
Here’s our gluten free plan for this week. It includes BBQ chicken sandwiches, breakfast for dinner, and more!
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-plan-109.html
I’m also working on a 2 part series about why and how to menu plan. Here’s Part 1: http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-planning-why.html
Part 2 will be posted on Wed.!
Teresa says
This may be a silly question, but do you have to add the cinnamon in this recipe for applesauce. I am not a fan of cinnamon applesauce and just wanted to know if it could be left out. Thanks!
Crystal says
Yes, you can totally leave it out.
Teresa says
It came out perfect. Thanks so much for your blog, it is helpful and inspiring.
Shelby @WOM: Working Mom says
My husband is going to be excited about the homemade applesauce. We go through a lot of it, but it’s gotten expensive.
Our menu is up, too. http://www.womworkingmom.com/2011/10/wom-meals-our-menu-for-1010-through.html
Jeannie says
does apple butter freeze well? I am not quite ready to can!
Evie says
Here is the link to my menu
http://raviandevie.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-plan-monday.html
I did applesauce this weekend. I did not even think to make it in the crock pot until it was too late. I did up 14 quarts which will last my son the rest of the year.
Is your granola bar store bought or is there a good recipe for it. Every recipe I find they fall apart.
Crystal says
We’ve been buying the Clif bars through Amazon when they are on sale and that’s what we’ve been eating recently. It makes for a great & quick breakfast before church on Sunday mornings!
(And I’m still searching for the perfect homemade granola bar recipe. None of mine have worked yet!)
Lucky @ Making My Own Luck says
My favorite is the back to school granola bars on the three many cooks blog. It’s the only one I’ve made that doesn’t fall apart. I can’t get on their website right now because it seems to be down, but it comes up easily with a google search.
Here’s my meal plan. I was super hungry when I wrote it so it’s all about comfort food!
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-weeks-menu-plan.html
Evie says
Good Crystal then I do not feel like a total failure. I am in good company. I work as a Sped Teacher and my kids made a PERFECT bar in their home ec class, I googled what their teacher told me.. mine Horrible… I have no idea what is wrong with mine. I think I will hit up one of my kids tomorrow for the recipe.. LOL maybe they can give me a lesson
Michelle @ Willing Cook says
I posted my meal plan last week and talked about how my husband hates crockpots. I got a lot of response! People love their crockpots. So, this week, I talked about “crockpot love” a little.
Here is our food allergy meal plan for this week…
http://willingcook.com/crockpot-love-and-our-allergy-home-meal-plan/
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says
Here is our menu this week. I actually got to plan a “dinner out” because we are celebrating my mom’s birthday! I think we eat out maybe once a month, if even that!
I need to puree some more pumpkin to make some Pumpkin Applesauce. Seeing your crockpot with the apples ready to cook is a good reminder for me!
http://myfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/2011/10/menu-plan-week-of-october-9.html
Melissa says
I just made crock pot Apple Sauce Yesterday! Thanks to a PreK apple picking trip, this has been my second batch in 2 weeks!
We make old fashioned oatmeal, completly left unflavored, and while steaming hot, the kids take a big dollop of the cold homeade applesauce and plop it right into the center of their breakfast. They get to swirl it around AND cool off breakfast at the same time!
Win Win for me 🙂
Sidetracked Sarah says
I have a 3 month old baby and was not getting meals done in time, so I decided to make a freezer to crockpot menu. Super easy, peasy! I can either load freezer bags with the right ingredients or I can just put it in the crockpot that day. Either way, it’s saving my life (when I remember to put it in the slow cooker in time!)
My meal plan for the week is here: http://www.sidetrackedsarah.com/2011/10/once-week-cooking-from-freezer-to.html
Amanda says
http://savingmoneyfashionably.com/?p=134 Our menu!
Kelley says
ohhh.. I got apples on sale this week so Ill be trying that recipe. Thank you!
Our Menu
[email protected] says
Happy Birthday! I hope it was a good one. I’m sure the lasagna helped. 🙂
Here’s our $100 Budget Weekly Menu: http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/10/07/100-budget-weekly-menu-10711/
and my daughter’s Simple Gluten Free Menu: http://thepeacefulmom.com/2011/10/10/simple-gluten-free-weekly-menu-101011/
Danielle B says
I’m itching to try homemade applesauce, but right now the best apple prices I’m finding are $0.99/lb. so it’s just not worth it yet. I think a huge jar of Great Value brand applesauce is $1.50 at most. Towards the end of October we’re going to a local orchard as part of a homeschool field trip and I’m hoping they’ll have some super reduced apples by that point.
amy says
ask about seconds…they’re still great, maybe a funny shape, too small, or bruise, but good enough for eating and applesauce
grace says
We love the applesauce! the baby just gobbles it straight from the fridge (there is very little he does that with). and it makes the house smell great. apples are still .99/lb wish they would go down alil bit 🙁
Liz@Wonder Woman I'm Not says
We’ve been making applesauce around here too. I love that it’s so easy to make! Here’s our menu for the week, thanks for the link
http://www.wonderwomanimnot.com/2011/10/menu-planning.html
Rebecca says
I like to mix up my meals with some easy meals for busy nights and then some meals that take some work! We are eating Microwaved Meatloaf, 20 Garlic Clove Turkey Breasts, and Easy Pleasing, 4 Ingredient Enchilladas!
I am going to try the apple butter crock pot recipe! It looks so easy!
Cassie says
Going to have to try the applesauce recipe. Quick question…Can it be canned?
amy says
Yes you can…you just need sterile jars and a twenty minute boiling water bath.
Emilie says
My son and I canned applesauce. Boil the jars, remove from the water and put boiling applesauce in the jars, put on the lid and hand tighted the ring. Let sit til the lids ‘pop”.
Applesauce is also wonderful frozen…It lasts for years in the freezer. I love to eat my cold and still a little frozen!
Kim @ Eat What You've Got says
That macaroni and cheese with beef looks wonderful! I will be trying it tomorrow.
Lynn says
Looks delicious! Do you have to do anything different to the applesauce to freeze it? And can you freeze the apple butter as well? Thanks for sharing!
Jessica says
Here’s my menu: http://jandjnewleaf.blogspot.com/2011/10/whats-for-eats-this-week_09.html
Noah says
Applesauce is super easy to make on the stove too!
Last year I made 12 quarts in September and it was gone by mid January. This year I have 80lbs of apples coming to sauce (and some for apple butter). I sure hope I make enough to last all year!
K-Mo - Learning How to Be An Army Wife says
Here’s my Commissary menu plan for this week. Since we don’t have a Chipotle around here, I’ve had to learn to improvise. I’ll be posting the recipe I use later this week!
All of these apple recipes are making me want to go out to an orchard and start picking!
Jody says
Pumpkin pie oatmeal? I’m so excited!
Here’s our menu for this week:
http://www.becauseimfrugal.com/2011/10/menu-plan-monday-101011.html
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
Ah, these cookies 🙂
http://www.savemoneylivejoyfully.com/2011/07/recipe-of-week-oatmeal-chocolate-chip.html
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
My official menu this week:
Whatever my husband is willing to make or bring home 🙂
7 weeks along, and the all-day “morning” sickness has started en force. The last time this happened, I was sick until week 37, so I’m giving myself some grace this time around 🙂
If there were one thing I wish I could make right now, it would be these cookies…perhaps my husband will make them for me 😉
Johnlyn says
Way to go – letting go of things when you don’t feel great! Hope this pregnancy is a bit easier on you.
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
Thank you Johnlyn. I’m a planner by nature, so letting things go has been a real test of faith! 🙂
Danielle B says
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinithians 12:9
🙂 7 weeks is my magic number too. If I didn’t know I was pregnant, I sure did by week 7! Praying for you.
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
Amen Danielle! That verse has been my life raft the last week. Thanks for the encouragement. Blessings to you!
Diane says
congratulations!
Lisa says
I am going to have to try the applesauce recipe too, especially if it can be frozen! Here is our menu for the week:
http://organizingmomma.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/menu-planning-monday/
Michelle @ Simplify, Live, Love says
I made a huge pot of apple sauce last week and canned 5 quarts. It’s on the list again this week, too, as we were fortunate enough to get a boat load of free, organic apples from a friend with a wonderful tree! 🙂 Since my apples haven’t been sprayed with anything, I just cut off the bad spots, quarter, and cook as much as possible, skin included. Then, I puree everything in my blender and can. It’s wonderful!
Also in the works this week is creating a lot of chicken and pork freezer meals. I need something to round out all of the beef meals I currently have in my freezer. You can see our menu here: http://www.simplifylivelove.com/2011/10/weekly-menu-freezer-cooking-plan-1010.html
Elias says
Thanks for the eat cake for dinner link. Those recipes look terrific!
Emily says
Homemade applesauce in the crockpot is incredible! (I’d honestly make it just to make our apartment smell good!) 🙂 Here’s what we’re eating this week: http://simplythriftyliving.com/2011/10/10/menu-plan-monday-5/
Cassie says
http://www.lcvalleymom.com/2011/10/this-weeks-menu.html
White Chicken Chili
Salsa Corn chowder
Buffalo Chicken Tacos
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
Can you say fall comfort food. lol! and I leave million posts – i’m sorry. it keeps giving me an error!
Ginger says
ONE crockpot?!?! For shame! Embarrassingly, I have three. I seem to always be making breakfast or beans in one and dinner in another. (I don’t know what the 3rd one is for. lol) I make dinners in the crock-pot more often than not.
I can’t wait to try the applesauce!
Willa@ArmstrongFamilyFare says
Happy Birthday Crystal! 🙂
Here’s our menu plan for the week.
http://armstrongfamilyfare.com/weekly-menu-1092011/
Meredith says
We just went apple picking in the mountains. Our whole fruit drawer in the fridge is crammed with apples. Thank you so much for posting the recipes or we are all going to get sick of raw apple very quickly!
Trish @ Finances With Funk says
As part of our three “themed weeks” menu plans last week we did a menu of very budget friendly inexpensive meals. This week is Eat Freezer meals only. It’s going to be a little weird not actually “cooking” dinner all week! 🙂 I hope I don’t get used to it!
http://www.financeswithfunk.com/2011/10/10/this-weeks-menu-plan/
Diane says
Those are always nice for a break and if you’re ambitious you can maybe get a little extra cleaning done! 🙂
Cassie Coats says
Fall mean bring on the comfort food in our house! This week some of our line up is:
White Chicken Chili
Salsa Corn Chowder
BLT’s
and a new recipe : Buffalo Chicken Tacos yum yum!
You can see our menu plan at http://www.lcvalleymom.com/2011/10/tea-collection-extra-20-off.html
Ashley Penn says
I love the homemade applesauce recipe, but I just have to ask:
Is there any way to make it chunky? Chunky applesauce was a household staple when I was a kid, but it’s so darn expensive now. If I could make it myself, I’d be extremely happy.
Crystal says
Yes, you can totally make it chunky. Just don’t blend or mash it as much.
Nicole says
Great menu! Good lasagna is worth having twice in one week 🙂 here’s what we’re eating: http://saveliveeatlove.com/2011/10/eat-this-weeks-menu-109/
Diane says
Happy Birthday!
I made twice baked potatoes for the freezer today. We’ll see if we decide it’s worth the time or just stick with baked potatoes but I think it ‘ll make an easy lunch to warm up.
Jessica @ The Abundant Wife says
Happy Birthday Crystal! I hope you enjoy celebrating your special day with lots of lasagna, and family and friends around you!
Crystal says
Thanks so much! My birthday was actually a couple of weeks ago, but I’m still celebrating. 😉
Mrs. R. says
Happy Birthday—Belated, Crystal!
Sure am GLAD God made you!!!
Becky says
Totally agree! Where would we be without you? I know…a little more pessimistic and a lot less wealthy (in several ways). Thanks for your ministry–you are excellent at what you do! Happy Belated!
Nicole says
I think I would not be able to keep my hands off those apples if they were stewed and warm right out of the slow-cooker!
Heather says
Yes! They look so good!
Here’s my latest recipe: Chicken Nugget Parmesan 😉
http://thirtythreemom.com/2011/10/10/simple-recipe-chicken-nugget-parmesan/
Happy Birthday Crystal!
Johnlyn says
Here’s our primal eating on a budget menu plan:
http://www.hummingbirdhomemaking.com/2011/10/homemaking-menu-plan-and-intentional_09.html
Mom's Plans says
Can’t wait to see your applesauce post. That is something I want to start making at home. Can you freeze homemade applesauce?
Here is what’s on our menu plan:
http://www.momsplans.com/2011/10/menu-planning-october-9-2011/
I had a freezer cooking bout, so we are enjoying the bounty without all the work this week!
Willa@ArmstrongFamilyFare says
Yes, you can totally freeze homemade applesauce! We make some every summer and freeze it to use for the rest of the year!