Crockpot Applesauce

Note: I am reposting my old food columns from Milford Patch. They originally contained step by step photos and accompanying instructions, which I hope to recreate at some point. Until then, I am posting the original text. This post originally appeared on Patch on September 25, 2011...

Apple picking is one of my favorite things to do all year, and is practically a mandate in New England. But sometimes, after you’ve eaten all you can, and you’ve made a pie, you’re still looking at a bunch of apples. Or maybe going picking with your little ones left you with some less-than-perfect specimens. It’s time to make applesauce.

Sesame Noodles

Like most people, I am always on the lookout for something to rescue me from the weeknight dinner grind. We all know the criteria for a good weeknight meal, Quick, easy, not too challenging for the picky palates, but something different for heavens sake because we're all sick to death of the same 4 things!

Sesame Noodles are almost universally popular, easy to make, easy to modify to suit your family's idiosyncratic tastes, and they feel a little special. You can serve them hot or cold (leftovers for the win!) and they go with a lot of different proteins, either on the side or added right in (shredded rotisserie chicken?) On the night pictured, I served them with bagged Asian salad mix and -ahem- chicken fingers, because we're all just trying to make it though the week. These noodles go a long way to redeem chicken fingers, and who needs more than that?