Applesauce with Bourbon, Sour Cherries and Hazelnuts

Can you imagine a better companion to a grilled pork chop than this applesauce? It’s also good with beef—either a roast or grilled steaks.

4 SERVINGS

¼

cup dried sour cherries

¼

cup plus 1 tablespoon bourbon

4

apples (about 1 pound), peeled, cored and diced

¼

cup water

1

tablespoon butter

3

tablespoons chopped hazelnuts, toasted

In a small bowl, cover the cherries with the bourbon and set aside to plump while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Place the diced apples and water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and cook until the apples are tender enough to smash with the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes.

Add the butter. Using a wooden spoon or heavy whisk, beat just enough to smash the apples into a thick, chunky sauce. Stir in the cherries and bourbon and continue cooking until the raw alcohol smell of the bourbon has burned off, about 5 minutes. Stir in the hazelnuts and serve.