For most adults, the word compote is associated with childhood, it is from there that the memories of a sweet and aromatic drink are drawn, which many of us still prefer to juices from a bag.
The name “compote” itself has French roots, but the recipe for the preparation was known to Russians long before this word entered the lexicon. The preparation of drinks from dry fruits in Russia was engaged for a very long time, drinks obtained from dried fruits and berries with the addition of honey were called blows.
Dried fruit compote is still very popular, despite the large selection of juices in stores. Dried fruit compote is a healthy and nutritious drink, as it contains vitamins from fruits. But in order for the compote to be really useful, it does not need to be cooked for a long time, a maximum of 30 minutes, and it is best to do this under a lid.
Compote for the winter, closed in a sterilized jar, is one of the most common methods of preserving berries and fruits. It is boiled on the basis of sugar syrup, which is poured over fruits and berries. Opening a jar of fragrant compote on a cold winter day, you can indulge in memories of the warm season while eating delicious fruits.
Compote can be cooked from any berries and fruits, as well as their mixture. When cooking apple compote for the winter, you need to choose ripe strong fruits that have a rich taste. Berry compote does not need to be cooked for a long time, since the berries quickly boil and then, instead of a transparent drink, you will have mashed potatoes.
Spicy dried fruit compote
Ingredients:
- Dry – 150 gr.
- Prunes – 150 gr.
- Dried cranberries – 100 gr.
- Dried cherries – 100 gr.
- Cinnamon – 1 stick
- Anise – 2 pcs.
- Orange zest – 1pc.
- Freshly squeezed orange juice – 1 tbsp
- Water – 200 ml.
Put all dried fruits, spices, orange zest in a saucepan, pour 200 ml of water and lemon juice and bring to a boil.
Cover the compote, reduce heat to low and cook for about 10 minutes, if in your opinion it turns out to be very thick, then add a little more water.
Serve chilled compote.
Summer berry compote
Ingredients:
- Raspberries – 200 gr.
- Apples – 500 gr.
- Thyme – 1 sprig
- Mint – 1 bunch
- Sugar to taste
- Water – 5 L
Pour water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. While the water is boiling, grind the berries in a blender, peel the apples and cut them into small slices.
For compote, it is better to take hard, but ripe apples, since soft and overripe apples quickly boil.
Pour chopped berries and fruits into boiling water and turn off the heat immediately. Then add sugar, spices and coarsely chopped mint. Leave the compote to cool, during this process it will infuse and acquire a rich taste.
Serve the compote cold.
Cherry compote for the winter
There is little that can compare to the pleasure that a jar of cherry compote, opened in winter, can give.
Ingredients:
- Cherries – 300 gr.
- Sugar – 300 gr.
- Water – 2,5 liters
Sort the cherries, rinse thoroughly and pour over with boiling water.
Transfer it to the bottom of a washed three-liter jar.
Boil the syrup: add sugar to boiling water and bring to a boil.
Pour the syrup into a jar and immediately close the airtight lid.
Turn the can over and wrap it in something warm. Leave in this state until it cools completely.
Store the compote in a cool, dark place.
Spicy apple-cranberry compote
Ingredients:
- Apples – 500 gr.
- Cranberries – 250 g.
- Sugar – 150 gr.
- Water – 1,5 l.
- Honey – 1 tbsp. l.
- Cinnamon – 1 sprig
- Carnation – 5 pcs.
Pour water into a saucepan and bring it to a boil, add apples. If the apples are from your own garden and are small, then you can add them whole, if the apples are large, then you can cut them in half.
When the water boils, reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the cranberries and cook for another 10 minutes, until the berry begins to burst.
After that, remove the pan from the heat, strain the compote, pour it back into the pan, add honey, sugar and spices, bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
After the compote is ready, leave it to cool in a saucepan, at this time it will infuse and acquire a rich taste.
Serve cold.
Dried fruit ginger compote
The presence of ginger in this recipe makes the drink not only tasty, but also healthy, you can use it both warm and cold.
Ingredients:
- Ginger – a small piece
- Dried cranberries – 1 handful
- Dry – 150-200 gr.
- Sugar – 1 st. l.
- Apple syrup – to taste
- Water – 1 l.
Peel and cut the ginger into small wedges.
Pour dried fruits and ginger with water and bring to a boil. Cook over low heat for no more than 10 minutes. After turning off, add sugar, which can be replaced with honey, so the compote will be even more useful.
After turning off, you need to leave the stewed fruit under the lid. During this time, it will cool down a little and acquire a richer taste.
It can be served both hot and cold.
Bon appetit!
Considering the fact that any kind of fruit and berries can be the raw material for compote, the number of recipes from the preparation can be counted in thousands, many of them can be found on the pages of our website.