Summer Fruit Compote Aunt Addie Recipes

SUMMER FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Cook the plums and blueberries in a small pan with the orange zest and juice, sugar and 4 tbsp water until slightly softened but not mushy. Gently stir in the raspberries and cook for 1 min more.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Serve with yogurt and a drizzle of honey, if you like.

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.

QUICK FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• If using strawberries, hull, halve or quarter to make them a similar size to the other berries. Tip all the fruits into a large pan with 2-3 tbsp water, sugar to taste and your choice of flavourings.
• Bring to the boil then simmer for 3-5 mins. Don't overcook, or the fruits will not hold their shape. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days, in the freezer for up to 3 months.

SUMMER FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine melon, apricots, nectarines and plums. Add apricot jam, wine and lemon juice. Toss well to coat. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours, or serve immediately.
• To serve, add berries to macerated fruit and gently fold together. Spoon into bowls or glasses, and garnish with figs, if using.

SERIOUSLY GOOD SPICED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients, except the fruits, into a large saucepan and slowly bring to the boil, uncovered. Boil the syrup for 5 minutes then remove the pan from the heat.
• Top and tail the oranges, then slice off the skin and every scrap of pith, using a small, sharp kitchen knife. Cradle each orange in the palm of your hand, hold it over the saucepan and cut out the segments, letting them drop into the syrup. Squeeze any juice from the debris into the syrup, too, then discard.
• Add the apricots and plums to the syrup and return the saucepan to a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then simmer the fruits for 10 minutes. Leave to cool, then chill for at least 2 hours.
• Serve the poached fruits just as they are or as a brûlée: whisk the milk into the fromage frais to loosen it a little, then divide the fruits and enough juice to cover them, among six ovenproof ramekins and spoon on the fromage frais, thickly. Dust with caster sugar and then 'burn' the sugar with a blow-torch. (Or put the ramekins on a heavy baking sheet, place it under a very hot grill and leave for 1-2 minutes until the sugar has caramelised.)

SUMMER FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Prepare a low fire in the grill.
• Divide the fruit between 2 squares of heavy-duty foil.
• Drizzle each with 2 tablespoons of liqueur.
• Seal tightly into packets so no liquid or steam will escape.
• Grill the packets, turning once, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Open carefully over a bowl; the fruit will have formed a syrup.
• Sprinkle with sugar to taste.
• Serve warm or let sit for an hour so flavors will intensify.
• Serves 2 on its own, 4 if used as an ice cream topping.