6 Easy Fruit Compote Recipes to Tickle Your Taste Buds

Easy Fruit Compote

Whether combined with other desserts or enjoyed by itself, a fruit compote gives a delicious close to a meal. The best thing about fruit compotes is that they are easy to make, and you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry and fridge.

Compotes are an excellent way to prolong the shelf life of fruits. You may add vanilla, ginger, or cinnamon for flavor. Here are 6 easy fruit compote recipes you should try.

1. The Classic Peach Compote1

How do you choose a good peach? Avoid peaches with bruises or with soft spots, since they are likely overripe. An unripe peach is firm, but a ripe one gives a little when squeezed.

Ingredients

   4 1/2 cups chopped peach slices (6 ripe peaches)

   1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

   ¼ cup maple syrup

   1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

   Dash of sea salt

   Dash of nutmeg, ground

Directions

Add all ingredients to an average-sized saucepan. Over medium heat, bring a simmer. Simmer until the peaches are tender and form a thick sauce.  

Turn the heat off and let it cool. Transfer the compote to a jar and serve or refrigerate. The classic peach compote can be refrigerated up to a week. You may freeze it if you need to store longer.

2. The Delicious Apple Compote2

Apples are ranked among the healthiest fruits in the world. They are a great source of flavonoids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.2 When buying or picking apples, ensure they are firm. Avoid discolored apples and those that easily indent when you squeeze them.

Ingredients

   10oz (750g) cored, peeled, and chopped apples

   3 1/2oz (100g) unsalted butter

   1 vanilla pod

   3 1/2 oz (100g) caster sugar

Directions

Add the butter in a saucepan to melt. Add the sugar, vanilla pod and the apples. On medium heat, cook the mixture for approximately 30 minutes, while stirring regularly until the texture of the sauce is thick. Remove the pod of vanilla and store it for future use.

Transfer the yummy apple compote to a blender and blend into a fine pulp. Serve.

3. The Aromatic Strawberry Compote3

Strawberries are a low-calorie food with numerous nutrients, including manganese, potassium, vitamins, and antioxidants.3 When buying strawberries, look out for the bright red ones. Worry less about the size and shape.

Ingredients

   4 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

   ¼ cup fresh orange juice

   ¼ cup of sugar

Directions

Over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Add the strawberries and cook for 10-12 minutes,  stirring every now and then. You may use a wooden spoon to help break the strawberries.

Turn off the heat when the sauce starts thickening and the berries are still soft chunks. Place in a jar or a container and allow cooling. Serve or store in the refrigerator, not longer than a week. To reheat the fruit compote, you may heat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

4. The Flavourful Raspberry Compote4

Raspberries have numerous health benefits, including obesity management and repairing damaged cells.4 There are various types of raspberries, such as red, purple, green and golden. You may use either of them for this recipe.

Ingredients

   1 1/2 cup ripe raspberries

   ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  ¼ cup extra fine sugar

Directions

Add all the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and immediately reduce the heat to low. Allow it to simmer while stirring often until the sugar dissolves. Turn off heat when a syrupy consistency forms. This may take around 6 minutes.

Transfer the thick mixture to a bowl. The sauce may be served warm or cool. Store the compote for up to one week in a fridge.

5.  The Tropical Pineapple Compote5

Did you know consuming pineapple speeds up surgery recovery? Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, reduces inflammation, bruising, and swelling, and soothes the pain that may occur after surgery. A study reveals that bromelain has effects similar to anti-inflammatory medicines.5

Ingredients

   6 cups fresh pineapple, cubed

   1/3 cup brown sugar

   2/3 cup unsweetened pineapple juice/ pear nectar

   1/3 cup raspberry vinegar

   ½ teaspoon allspice, ground

Directions

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan. Over medium-low heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until slightly thickened for around 10 minutes while stirring often. Transfer to a bowl and serve chilled or warm.

6. The Tasty Blueberry Compote6

Blueberries are deep blue-purple or blue-black in color. Blueberries do not ripen when harvested unripe (green and white). Look out for dry, firm, smooth skinned, and plump blueberries when making a purchase. Avoid shrivelled or soft blueberries. Size is not an indicator of maturity. Blueberries have the highest levels of antioxidants of all vegetables and fruits.6

Ingredients

2 cups freeze dried, frozen or fresh blueberries

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3 tablespoons water

¼ tablespoon cinnamon

I tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

Add sugar, water, lemon juice and a cup of blueberries to a saucepan. Over medium heat, cook for 10 minutes while stirring regularly. Add in the cinnamon and the remaining blueberries and cook for about 5 more minutes until thick.

Serve warm or cool. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

How to Serve Fruit Compotes

Fruit compotes are mostly served as desserts. You may also use them as an ingredient in different dishes. Here are some unique ways of incorporating fruit compotes in your menu:

  • Over frozen plain yogurt or ice cream. This option works best with warm fruit compote, due to the temperature contrast.
  • Spoon your compote over oatmeal.
  • On top of pancakes or waffles.
  • Layering with yogurt and custard.
  • Over cake; you can toast your cake in the oven for a crispy texture for contrast.
  • Add it to your favorite milkshake or smoothie.
  • Add it to the BBQ sauce.
  • Garnish on French toast.

You can use canned, fresh, freeze dried, and dried fruit for your fruit compotes. In the case of freeze dried fruit, soak in water first to allow softening. Make sure you try out our freeze dried peaches, pineapples, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries for these recipes. You won’t regret your choice.

References

  1. https://dietitiandebbie.com/simple-peach-compote/
  2. https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/applecompote_11371
  3. https://www.cravingsofalunatic.com/strawberry-compote/
  4. https://www.raspberry-depot.com/raspberry-compote.html
  5. https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pineapple-compote/
  6. https://www.dinner-mom.com/blueberry-compote-recipe-ways-to-use/