Dried Fruit Compote With Fresh Apple and Pear

By Martha Rose Shulman

Dried Fruit Compote With Fresh Apple and Pear
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
About 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes for steeping
Rating
5(71)
Comments
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An alcohol-free compote with a variety of dried fruit and a bright flavor.

This compote, which I like to add to my morning yogurt, does not involve wine, though you could add some red or white wine for flavor if you wanted to. The sweetness will vary with the type of fruit used. If you use dried sour cherries, don’t use too many, because they will give the compote too stronga sour cherry flavor. Sweet fruit, like dried apples, pears and raisins, will result in a compote with a brighter taste. Apricots are great too, contributing another rich taste layer. I add fresh apple and pear for their texture, which remains somewhat crunchy even after they simmer.

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves 6 to 8
  • 2cups mixed dried fruit, such as raisins (several types), apples, pears, peaches, cranberries, chopped apricots (about ½ pound)
  • 2½cups water
  • 3tablespoons mild honey, such as clover (more to taste)
  • 1cinnamon stick
  • 1teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2strips orange zest
  • 1strip lemon zest
  • 1firm but ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced (optional)
  • 1apple, preferably a slightly tart variety like Pink Lady, peeled, cored and diced (optional)
  • Whipped cream or plain yogurt for serving, if desired
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

72 calories; 1 gram fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 5 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut large pieces of dried fruit into smaller pieces.

  2. Step 2

    Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow fruit to steep for 30 minutes or longer. Remove cinnamon stick and orange and lemon zest. Serve topped with whipped cream or yogurt if desired, or stir into your morning yogurt.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
71 user ratings
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Comments

Alix Bohlmeyer

Love dried fruit compote with diced apple. My take: used 1/2 t. Cardamom instead of cinnamon and juice of 1/2 lemon instead of its orange/lemon zest. Added pinch of salt. Used dregs of honey jar. Used Prunes, raisins, and apricots.

argee

Delicious. I used dark raisins and golden raisins, dried apricots, figs and dried pears. I used just one fresh apple. Served it with panna cotta, and had the rest with breakfast.
Will definitely make again.

Ahomick

Really nice. I made it with dried fruit only (golden and regular raisins, apricots, and prunes.) Smelled like my mother’s kitchen at Christmastime, which added an element of nostalgia.

Aarti

I love this compote. I doubled the recipe and used half of a vanilla bean as well as a few cardamom pods and a couple of cloves along with two cinnamon sticks and larger strips of zest. I decreased the honey to only about a tablespoon and it was plenty sweet. I served the compote with a choice of plain or vanilla yogurt and homemade granola for breakfast, and then later as dessert with a spoonful of heavy cream. Scrumptious!

Aarti

I love this compote. I us

Rhoda

Forgot to add the honey and didn’t miss it. It was plenty sweet as is. Served it with a plain vanilla cake.

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