Spicy Apple-Pear Sauce

Ingredients:

• 3 Mackintosh apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm pieces.
• 3 ripe Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm pieces.
• 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1–2 tablespoons of sugar

Preparation:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine apples, pears, lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the apples and pears are very soft but the sauce still has some chunks, 15–20 minutes. Taste and add the remaining tablespoon of sugar, if desired.
3. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir a few times, breaking up any larger chunks. Let cool to room temperature. Remove the cinnamon sticks and serve. If you prefer a smoother sauce, remove it from the heat, remove the cinnamon sticks, and then blend in a blender until smooth.
   
   
   Enjoy applesauce with waffles, pancakes, or French toast. Eat it as a snack, reheat it on the stovetop, and spread it on toast or peanut butter sandwiches.