No, this isn’t a trick question.  I know just eating a bowl of applesauce should be good enough, but our apple trees went crazy last fall and I’m still looking at jars and jars of applesauce in my pantry.  People are starting to avoid me when they see me coming with my arms full of jars of applesauce to give away.  Yes, even free applesauce has gotten to be a burden.  So, what can I make with applesauce that will get me in good with the neighbors again?

I did stumble across a fantastically inventive recipe that I am really anxious to try.  It was scribbled on a piece of paper stuck in a cookbook I bought at the library’s book fair.  My husband makes a pretty mean meatloaf, so I’m going to challenge him with a meatloaf “cook off” with this recipe.  Here it is, see what you think.

Dijon Applesauce Meat Loaf

• 1 egg, lightly beaten with a fork
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/2 small onion, diced finely
• 1/2 tsp celery salt
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb ground beef

• Topping:
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 tblsp brown sugar
• 1 tblsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

In a big bowl, mix together the egg, bread crumbs, 1/2 cup applesauce, onion, celery salt, 1 teaspoon Dijon, salt, and pepper.  When it’s mixed well, add the beef and mix it up nicely with your hands, being sure not to over mix it.  Form loaf and put in greased loaf pan.  Whisk together the topping ingredients and spread evenly over the meat loaf.  Bake for 1 hour in a 350 degree oven.

I really like the change from the regular tomato based meat loaf.  We’ll see if my husband agrees!

Any other ideas about how to use lots and lots of applesauce?  I’d love it if you would share your recipes with me.