Brandied Fruit Compote Recipes

EASY FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• To prepare the fruit: If you're using fresh strawberries or peaches, cut them into thin slices. If you're using small berries like blueberries or raspberries, you can use them whole. If you're using frozen fruit, no need to defrost or slice them before using.
• In a medium saucepan, combine your fruit of choice, sweetener of choice and dash of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. This will take about 5 minutes for fresh fruit or 10 minutes for frozen fruit.
• Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium. If you're using chunky fruit or prefer a smoother consistency, mash the fruit with a potato masher or serving fork until it reaches your desired consistency. Continue simmering, stirring often, until the compote has condensed to about half of its original volume, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the compote from the heat. I'm generally satisfied with my compote at this point, but if the compote isn't sweet enough for your liking, you can stir in a more sweetener, to taste. If you'd like it to be more smooth, mash it some more.
• Let the compote cool for a few minutes before serving. Allow leftover compote to cool completely before covering and refrigerating for up to 10 days.

MIXED BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Dissolve cornstarch in brandy in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine mixed berries, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture and boil until berries break down and compote thickens to the desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes.

BRANDIED DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the currants, cranberries, cherries, pears and apricots. Zest the orange and add the zest to the bowl. Add the lemon, ginger, anise seeds, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom.
• Juice the orange and add the liquid to the bowl. Add the brandy and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to a jar, cover and refrigerate. (If you don't have a jar that's large enough, keep the mixture in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.) Allow the fruit to sit in the liquid for 2 to 14 days before using. The flavor of the fruit, spices and brandy will improve with time. At least once a day, turn the jar upside-down (or thoroughly stir the mixture if it's in a bowl) to make sure all the dried fruit gets coated in the brandied liquid. The mixture keeps in the refrigerator for months, stored in an airtight container.

HOT FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°. Drain canned fruit, reserving syrup and juice; mix syrup and juice. Cut pears and peaches into bite-size pieces. Layer canned and dried fruit in 3-quart casserole or rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches.
• Mix brown sugar and brandy; pour over fruit. Pour reserved juice mixture over fruit just until fruit is covered; discard remaining juice mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and almonds over fruit.
• Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm or cool.

FROZEN COGNAC PARFAIT AND SPIRITED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Make parfait:
• Using handheld electric mixer, beat sugar, egg yolks, corn syrup, and orange juice in large metal bowl to blend. Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Beat until thermometer registers 160°F and parfait base is thick and billowy, about 8 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Continue to beat until parfait base is cool, about 7 minutes.
• In another large bowl, beat cream, Cognac, and vanilla until peaks form. Fold cream into parfait base in 3 additions. Transfer parfait to medium bowl, cover and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.
• Make fruit compote:
• Using small sharp knife, cut all peel and pith from oranges. Working over large bowl, cut between membranes, releasing orange segments into bowl. Mix in remaining ingredients. Let stand at least 30 minutes, or cover and chill up to 3 hours, tossing occasionally.
• Assemble parfaits:
• Scoop parfait into goblets. Spoon fruit compote over and serve.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until fruit is tender and juices are reduced to very thick syrup, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

CONTEST-WINNING HOT FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Pour into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread pie filling over fruit mixture; sprinkle with brown sugar. , Cover and bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm.

BRANDIED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Drain all canned fruit syrup into measuring cup. Pour 1/2 of syrup in small sauce pan. Add brown sugar, extracts and spices. Simmer until reduced by half. Stir in brandy.
• Place canned fruits in clean Quart jar and pour Brandy syrup mixture over fruit. Cool and store in refrigerator.

FRIENDSHIP BRANDY FRUIT STARTER

Steps:

• TO START: Combine all ingredients in a clean, large glass jar.
• Stir gently with wooden spoon.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature for three weeks, stirring at least twice a week.
• Fruit is fermented when it is translucent.
• CARE AND FEEDING: Stir mixture daily.
• Every two weeks add one cup sugar and one cup of fruit and stir gently. Alternate fruits each time.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature at least three days before using.
• Do not add fruit more often than once every two weeks.
• Do not delay adding fruit for more than one or two days past schedule.
• IMPORTANT: To keep the starter going, retain at least three cups at all times.
• SHARING: Whenever you have more than six cups of fermented fruit, you may divide it into two portions, being sure there are at least three cups in each portion.
• Do this just before you would do a normal feeding.
• Feed each portion.
• Give one portion to a friend (with Care and Feeding directions) and keep one for yourself.
• Search on "friendship fruit" to find recipes that use this.
• There is also a Friendship Sourdough Starter (Recipe #647936) - yum!