The flavors of apples and cranberries marry well together; they are both sweet and tart. The cranberry is slightly sweeter and tarter than the apple, and the cranberry has a nice depth of flavor that lifts the apple. Addditionally, less added sugar is necessary due to the natural sweetness of the cranberry. Cranberries are one of the top antioxidant-rich foods, packing in more antioxidants ounce-for-ounce than other superfoods like spinach, blueberries, or even green tea. Apples are a great source of the fiber pectin; one apple has five grams of fiber. Apples are also packed with vitamin C.

This applesauce recipe allows you to adjust to your taste. If you like your applesauce smooth, pop it in the Vitamix. If you prefer a chunkier applesauce, use an immersion blender. You can also add more or less sugar, according to your sweet tooth.

1 c cranberries, frozen or thawed
4 apples, peeled and chopped
1 t cinnamon
1 – 2 T brown sugar
1/4 – 1/2 t nutmeg
cinnamon sticks
pinch of kosher salt
1 scoop Protein Essentials Hydrolyzed Collagen

Put everything in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer until cranberries have popped and apples are soft. Stirring occasionally. Turn off heat. Remove cinnamon sticks. Use immersion stick to blend to desired consistency.

Top with granola, chopped pear, flaxseed or nuts. Also great with oatmeal.