Fruit Leather

Okay, I will be totally honest. This is not the kind of recipe you can whip up at a moment's notice. And you probably aren't going to want to make it often. It's a labor intensive process, but it really is good.

I'd save this one for bad weather days, when you are at a loss of what to do with your kids.

Next time I make it, I will be doubling or tripling the recipe and making it thicker to slice it into individual sections...you know, so it lasts more than 7.3 seconds after it is done.

I made it with apples, but it should work with just about any fruit. You'd probably want to blend apples or pears into the mixture if using something else, just because of the consistency they create in the mixture.

Homemade Fruit Leather
- 6 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp sugar
- juice of one lemon

Put apples into saucepan with water, sugar and lemon juice. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently. If water dissipates, add more. Cook until apples are very soft. Pour contents of the pan into heat safe blender or food processor and process until very smooth.

Prepare large cookie sheet by placing plastic wrap (the microwaveable kind only) over the sheet. Pour mixture over wrap, being careful that it doesn't leak over the sides. Also make sure wrap doesn't fold over puree.

Place in oven on the lowest setting you can (140-170 degrees, depending on your oven). Let it dry out completely. Done when the top of the puree is no longer sticky...anywhere from 5-12 hours. Remove and let cool.

If your family doesn't eat it immediately, store by rolling in plastic wrap, then placing in the fridge. :)