Compotes
Compotes |
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A compote is a sweet cooked preparation of whole or cut fruit (such
as apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, plums) and sugar, usually more
liquid in consistency than jams, jellies or preserves. Compotes may also
contain spices. The base of fruit compote is, of course, the fruit. Some variants used dried fruit, while other cooks may make a berry compote. Some fruit compotes follow a theme, such as tropical fruit compote, while others use preserved fruits in syrup from the summer, or an assortment of whatever looks good. Depending on the type of fruit used, the spicing and level of sweetness is usually adjusted to make the fruit compote's flavor optimal. To make fruit compote, start by making a syrup from three quarters of a cup of water simmered with one half cup sugar, two teaspoons lemon juice, and one teaspoon vanilla or liqueur. Next, add evenly chopped fruit and cook it on low heat until the fruit begins to soften. When mixing harder and softer fruits, add the softer fruits later so that they do not disappear while the harder fruits cook. The length of cooking varies, depending on individual taste, with some cooks preferring to just briefly warm the fruit, while others stew it to a soft, even texture. Numerous cultures make a variant of fruit compote, and the dish is especially popular in the winter. It is also extremely easy to make at home, and home cooks can create unique versions with special fruits to taste. |
