Dried Fruit Compote
I never tire of dried fruit compote, which can be eaten at any time of the day and night, no! just as a pudding. The recipe is enormously variable apple juice is not necessary, but it really enhances the fruity taste. Orange juice could also be used, in which case I would omit the orange segments. Ginger wine is another option, and all the spices can be changed, in quantity as well as selection. Plenty of chopped fresh ginger stirred in with the oranges is one of my favourite variations. A dried fruit compote is a very useful pudding as it needs very little preparation or cooking. In fact, it can be made without any cooking at all simply leave the fruits to soak in a covered bowl in the refrigerator for at least 2 days, stirring occasionally. Not only will it stay in good condition (if given a chance!), but it will also improve over a number of days.
INGREDIENTS:
700 C/11/2 LB MIXED DRIED
FRUITS SUCH AS PEARS, APRICOTS
(PREFERABLY HUNZA), FIGS,
PEACHES, PRUNES AND
APPLE RINGS
1 LEMON
2 LARGE ORANGES
SEEDS FROM 6 GREEN CARDAMOM
PODS, LIGHTLY CRUSHED
423 ML/15 FI. 07. FRUITY
MEDIUM DRY WHITE WINE,
SUCH AS CHENIN BLANC
300 ML/10 FL 01. APPLE JUICE
1 CINNAMON STICK ABOUT
5 CM/2 IN LONG
4 STAR ANISE PODS (OPTIONAL)
4 cLovEs
TO SERVE:
CHILLED STRAINED
GREEK YOGURT
DIRECTIONS:
Place all the dried fruits in a bowl. Using a potato peeler, pare a long strip of rind from the lemon and one of the oranges. Squeeze the juice from the lemon. Add the juice, citrus peels and spices to the bowl, pour over the wine, stir, cover and leave in a cool place over night.
Tip the contents of the bowl into a saucepan, add the apple juice and heat to simmering point, then simmer gently for about 25 minutes until the fruit is just. tender - adjust the cooking to suit how soft you like the fruit to be and remember that the fruit will continue to soften as it cools. Leave to cool.
Just before serving, peel the orange and divide into segments, removing all the skin and pith, stir into the dried fruits. Serve with strained Greek yogurt.
