Musselman’s Apple Sauce and Apple Butter Yummy Summer Recipes

With summer in full swing here in Chicago, and I mean 100 degree days, I am always looking for treats to cool us off!  Thankfully, Musselman’s has some great recipes, including smoothies, a green summer salsa, salad dressing, and barbeque sauce!  These recipes are perfect for barbeques, family gatherings, or just because!

I was sent a beautiful picnic basket with some great Musselman’s products inside – Natural Unsweetened Apple Sauce, Chunky Apple Sauce, Totally Fruit Peach, Totally Fruit Strawberry, 17oz jar of Apple Butter and a picnic tablecloth.

Here are some recipes from Musselman’s to keep cool and enjoy some delicious meals:

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Creamy Peach Berry Smoothie/Ice Pops

Fruit smoothies and ice pops offer healthy options that will replenish you and the kids after a hot day outside. Pull out the blender and try this thirst-quenching peach and berry combination

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Musselman’s Natural Apple Sauce
• 2 cups of peaches
• 1/2 cup of raspberries or strawberries
• Juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1/2 cup of milk

Preparation:

Puree ingredients in a blender for a refreshing smoothie. Add puree to ice pop molds for a frozen treat.

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Strawberry Apple Ginger Smoothie/Frozen Yogurt

Try cooling off with this unique flavor combination by whipping up a fresh-tasting smoothie or delicious frozen yogurt!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Musselman’s Natural Apple Sauce
• 3/4 cup of vanilla yogurt
• 2 cups of strawberries
• 1 tbsp. of fresh basil, chopped (or to taste)
• 2 tbsp. of fresh ginger, grated (or to taste)

Preparation:

Puree ingredients in a blender for a refreshing smoothie. Add puree to ice cream maker for frozen yogurt.

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Green Summer Salsa

Top off your tortilla chips with this refreshing summer salsa that incorporates Musselman’s chunky apple sauce.

Ingredients:

•  1 cup of Musselman’s Chunky Apple Sauce
• 1 can of chopped green chiles, well drained
• 2 tbsp. of lime juice
• 2 tbsp. of snipped parsley or cilantro, chopped
• Additional parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
• Tortilla chips (optional)

Preparation:

Combine Mussleman’s Apple Sauce, chiles, lime juice and parsley or cilantro. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour to blend flavors. Garnish with additional fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

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Southwest Apple Butter Barbeque Sauce

Southwest apple butter barbeque sauce will add flavor to your cookouts and picnics. Simply add this recipe to your summer meals – you’ll have everyone (including the kids!) coming back for more.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Musselman’s Apple Butter
• 1/2 cup of ketchup
• 2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. of chile powder
• 1 tsp. of paprika
• 1/2 tsp. of onion powder
• 4 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Store covered in refrigerator at least one hour before using.

Serving Suggestions:

• Brush on chicken or pork during the last few minutes of grilling.
• Heat with your favorite meatballs for an instant appetizer.
• Stir into cooked ground beef for BBQ sloppy joes.
• Heat with cocktail wieners for a quick appetizer.

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Tomato Basil Salad Dressing

This tomato basil dressing pairs perfectly with a refreshing summer salad.

Ingredients:

• 2 large Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. of white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp. of olive oil
• 4 tbsp. of fresh basil, finely chopped
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. of Musselman’s Natural Apple Sauce
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix well.

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Here are some simple and fun ideas on behalf of Mussleman’s to help make your summer as enjoyable as possible.

1. Instead of using a bulky ice pack for summer picnic lunches, freeze Mussleman’s Apple Sauce single-serve cups and pack them in your lunch bag to keep the rest of your food cool. Then you can have a sweet and tasty apple slushy for desert!

2. Apple sauce ice pops are easy-to-make frozen treats. Simply fill ice pop molds or cups with Musselman’s Totally Fruit Apple Sauce and freeze. Try layering the flavors for variety! Kids will love cooling off in the backyard with this healthy snack.

3. Mix 1/2 cup of Musselman’s Natural Apple Sauce (or one single-serve cup) per one pound of ground beef to give burgers extra moisture when grilling. They’re so delicious, and your friends and family will never guess your secret ingredient!

4. Feeling extra creative? Get the kids involved in making Musselman’s Apple Sauce cups into beautiful summer flowers using colored paper, markers and crayons. Display them with pride at the picnic table or use them as place holders at a summer party.

I would have never thought to use apple sauce in recipes but all these recipes sound so good!  I mean I have heard of using apple sauce in baking instead of vegetable oil, but I didn’t think of apple sauce as more than really a snack.  It is so great to be able to add apple sauce and apple butter to more of my families meals!  So far we have made the Creamy Peach Berry Smoothie/Ice Pops and loved them!  I actually didn’t have peaches so we just used berries but it still came out delicious!  My husband is super excited to try out the Southwest Apple Butter Barbeque Sauce on some chicken breasts next time we grill out.  So far I haven’t done much cooking since being pregnant and then having our baby girl, but all these recipes are on my list and I hope to make each one before the summer ends!

BUY IT: You can find Musselman’s  at your local grocery store!

COUPONS: Check out the Musselman’s Coupons Page for what coupons are available!

RECIPES: Check out more Musselman’s Recipes!

Mom and More Disclosure:  I was sent some samples to review.  My opinon remains my own.  Please see my Disclosure Policy.