PEAR-APPLESAUCE WITH CHAI SPICES

Pear-Applesauce with Chai Spices image

Provided by C G @Celestina9000

Number Of Ingredients 16

3-4 - apples, scrubbed, peeled, seeded and cored
3-4 - ripe pears, scrubbed,peeled, seeded and cored
1 small ripe banana, peeled
1 - whole cinnamon stick
1 - whole star anise
1/2 tablespoon(s) freshly grated ginger (or use about 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
3-4 - cardamon pods
2-3 - whole cloves
3-4 - whole black peppercorns
1/3 cup(s) dark brown sugar
1/4 cup(s) water (you can sub white grape juice, pear juice, apple juice/cider, pineapple juice)
1 tablespoon(s) freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla paste or vanilla extract
FLAVORED YOGURT TOPPING:
2 tablespoon(s) whole milk yogurt, drained
1/4-1/2 teaspoon(s) rosewater, to taste

Steps:

Place the peeled fruit in the Crock-pot.
Lightly crush the whole spices in a pestle and mortar then place the spices in a tea infuser (or you can use muslin cloth and tie up). Add to the Crock-pot.
Now add about 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup water (white grape juice, apple juice/cider or pineapple juice), 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract to the Crock-pot.
Cook on HIGH 1 hour then on LOW for about 3-4 hours until very soft.
*Remove* the cinnamon stick and whole spices. Use an immersion blender to puree the fruit or transfer to a blender or food processor and puree in batches to desired consistency. To serve: Eat and enjoy warm or cold. I like to add a dollop of plain yogurt with rosewater to my serving.