Apple Raisin Goji Berry Sauce Recipe with
Rose Hips Plus Variations

This Apple Raisin Goji Berry Sauce with Rose Hips is great served on top of  morning hot cereal or porridge, like this Rolled Barley and Oat Porridge, or any of the rolled whole grain flake variations. 

We sometimes enjoy hot cereal or porridge topped with Stewed Fruit, or my basic Sugar-Free Apple Raisin Sauce.   I added goji berries and rose hips to the Sugar-Free Apple Sauce recipe which really boosts the nutrition and flavor.  These recipes, along with my simple Baked Fruit were published elsewhere, but you'll find the basic recipes all below.

Any of these Baked or Stewed Fruit Recipes can be made as a topping for not only porridge, but also whole grain pancakes, or in lieu of preserves as a spread on whole grain, sourdough, or sprouted bread or English muffins.  It's a great way to use up dried fruit, especially with some warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg added.

I'll briefly share some of the health benefits of both, followed by the Apple Raisin Goji Berry and Rose Hips Recipe.  

You may want to bulk up on both goji berries and rose hips after reading about their health benefits!  See Resources section below to find out my preferred sources of both.

Goji Berries for Blurry Vision

I first heard about goji berries in 1997 while studying Chinese herbal medicine. It's one of THE primary food-grade herbs suggested for nourishing liver blood, and improving vision when consumed regularly. They are most commonly used in herbal teas, or cooked into congees or porridge, rather than consumed as a snack like raisins, however they can be enjoyed either way. 

Goji berries are especially beneficial for those with poor night vision, or blurry vision that is a result of poor sleep.  Some people may see floaters in their eyes, have mild ringing in the ears, or dizziness in addition to blurred vision.

They have a slightly tart or sour and slightly butterscotch-y flavor, and are a bit more crunchy than raisins. Some are more dried out than others. Quality matters!

Goji berries are mostly used as a tea, simmered or steeped in hot water.  For treating blurred vision, take 1-2 teaspoons in hot water.  Let the berries soften, then drink, and eat the berries.  Goji berries can be added to green or red tea for added antioxidant benefits.  

Sugar-Free Apple Raisin Goji Berry Sauce w/ Rose Hips on top of Porridge with Black Sesame Seeds

Rolled Oats & Barley w/ Stewed Apple Raisin Goji Berry Sauce

Rose Hips Rich in Vitamin C, Polyphenols & Carotenoids

Rose hips are the berries or fruit of the rose plant, harvested in the fall.  

They are rich in vitamin C, polyphenols like quercetin, and ellagic acid, and carotenoids like lycopene and beta carotene.  Combined, they are a great source of antioxidants, and are beneficial for eye and skin health, reducing inflammation, and improving immunity.

According to this Healthline article, rose hips have also been studied and found to help improve fat metabolism and aid weight loss, reduce pain from osteoarthritis, and improve heart health by reducing blood pressure, total cholesterol, and LDL.

Bob's Red Mill Cream of Brown Rice Cereal with a Stewed Fruit variation, below

Sugar-Free Apple Raisin Goji Berry Sauce with Rose Hips Recipe

Ingredients for Sugar-Free Apple Raisin Sauce with Goji Berries & Rose Hips

4-5 apples, peeled, cored and chopped or sliced (you can skip peeling if apples are organic)

About 1/4 cup golden and/or black raisins

1 Tbsp. goji berries

1 Tbsp. rose hips

Water (or apple cider or juice)

1/2-1 tsp. cinnamon 

Pinch of nutmeg (fresh grated is best!)

1/2+ tsp. vanilla or almond extract, optional

1 tsp. brown rice syrup, barley malt, or maple syrup, optional (See Resources, below)

Place ingredients in a pot with about 1/2 inch of filtered water. Sprinkle in cinnamon and/or nutmeg if using. Let simmer on medium heat, covered, until fruit has softened. Serve on top of Hot Cereal or Porridge, or enjoy as a simple dessert with nondairy yogurt.

For a touch more sweetness, use apple cider or apple juice instead of water.  Alternatively, stir in a teaspoon or two of Lundberg Brown Rice Syrup, or Eden Barley Malt for a touch of macrobiotic-diet sweetness.  See Resources below.

Sugar-Free Apple Cranberry Sauce Variation

Prepare as above, substituting fresh or frozen, or dried cranberries for the rose hips and goji berries.  I suggest preparing in apple cider or juice instead of water to add to the sweetness, so less added sweetener is needed.  If using fresh or frozen cranberries, add enough water to cover the bottom of the pot.

Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.  Stir in a little of the macrobiotic-friendly sweeteners mentioned above or add a little maple syrup.  Alternatively, add 1/2-1 tsp. vanilla, almond, or orange extract.  Or squeeze in a little fresh orange.

You may also like these Baked and Stewed Fruit Recipes, using a variety of fresh seasonal apples or pears and dried fruit.  

Baked Apple and Dried Fruit Medley

Sugar-Free Apple Cranberry Sauce

More Baked Apple & Dried Fruit

Resources

You may also enjoy these delicious, Dried Fruit Truffles!

Try Apple Raisin Goji Berry Sauce on top of Rolled Barley & Oat Porridge

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