Description
This homemade apple sauce recipe features sweet gala apples caramelized with caster sugar and enhanced with sherry vinegar and butter. It’s cooked gently on the stovetop until soft, then blended into a smooth, velvety sauce. Perfect as a side for savory dishes like slow-roasted pork belly or as a versatile addition to sweet recipes.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Sauce Ingredients
- 3 gala apples, peeled, quartered, cored, and sliced thinly
- 1/4 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
- 50g (3 ½ tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Caramelize Sugar: Place the caster sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat. Gently shake the pan to spread the sugar evenly. Let it cook undisturbed for a few minutes until the edges start melting and turning golden. Swirl the pan carefully to spread the melting sugar to encourage even caramelization. Avoid stirring to prevent crystallization.
- Cook Apples: Once the sugar is fully melted and caramelized, add the sliced gala apples and sherry vinegar to the pan. Stir to combine. Cook the mixture for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are completely soft and tender.
- Add Butter and Blend: Add the unsalted butter and a pinch of salt to the softened apples. Stir until the butter is mostly melted and fully incorporated. Using a stick blender, blitz the mixture until smooth and velvety. Tilt the saucepan as needed to ensure the blender head is fully submerged and to prevent splattering.
- Serve: Serve the apple sauce warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with slow-roasted crispy pork belly or other pork dishes. It also works well in sweet dishes or desserts as a flavorful component.
Notes
- Use gala apples for a naturally sweet and smooth apple sauce texture.
- Do not stir the sugar while it melts to avoid crystallization; swirling the pan is optimal.
- If you prefer a chunkier sauce, blend less or mash by hand.
- Sherry vinegar adds a subtle acidity that balances the sweetness. You can substitute with apple cider vinegar if needed.
- Store leftover apple sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
