Strawberry Applesauce - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 (1/4 lb) mcintosh apple (2 pounds)
4 (1/4 lb) empire apple (2 pounds)
1/2 cup apple juice
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup seedless reduced-sugar strawberry preserves
liquid red food coloring (optional)

Preparation

Peel, halve and core apples.
Cut into 2-inch chunks.
Place in 5-quart saucepan with apple juice and butter.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium.
Simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes or until apples are very tender.
Crush apples with a potato masher until chunky.
Stir in strawberry preserves and food color, if using, until blended.
Serve warm or chilled.