Dried Fruit Compote – Christmas Eve Compote
Ingredients
- 500 g mixed dried fruit (apples, pears, plums, apricots)
- 4 liters cold water
- honey or sugar to taste
Optional Additions
- 1 cinnamon stick
- a few cloves
- star anise
- a piece of dried orange peel (orange part only)
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
Preparation
- Wash the chopped dried fruit, put it in a very large pot, cover with water and soak for about half an hour. You can also add a cinnamon stick, cloves, anise and orange peel together with the fruits.
- Then bring everything to boil on low heat. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes until the fruits soften but don't fall apart yet.
- Season with lemon juice and if needed (to taste) with honey or sugar.
- Set the ready compote aside for about 2-3 hours. During this time the fruits swell significantly.
- Pour the compote into pitchers adding some fruit to the middle. The remaining fruit can be served on half-dishes during afternoon tea.
Tips
When buying packaged dried fruit check (e.g. in the ingredients on the package) that they are not smoked. They should only be dried.
During cooking the fruits swell, so you need to use an appropriately large pot.
The optional additions are not necessary to get a delicious and essential compote.