Apple Date Compote With Apple Cider Yogurt Cheese Food

APPLE-DATE COMPOTE WITH APPLE-CIDER YOGURT CHEESE

Steps:

• Set strainer over medium bowl. Line strainer with double layer of cheesecloth. Place yogurt in strainer. Refrigerate overnight. Discard liquid that drains out.
• Boil 4 cups cider in medium saucepan until reduced to 1/2 cup thin syrup, about 30 minutes. Cool. Stir 3 tablespoons into thickened yogurt. Re-serve remaining syrup.
• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples, 1 tablespoon sugar and lemon juice; sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer apples to medium bowl. Add 2 cups water, cloves, orange peel, cinnamon, 1 cup apple cider and 4 tablespoons sugar to same skillet. Boil until reduced to 2/3 cup, about 20 minutes. Strain. Discard solids. Return liquid and apples to skillet; add dates. Simmer 3 minutes. Cool. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Chill yogurt cheese; store compote at room temperature.)
• Place heaping spoonful of yogurt cheese in center of each bowl. Surround with apples. Drizzle with reserved syrup.

HOMEMADE YOGURT WITH APPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until a thermometer registers 185 degrees F. (The milk should be steaming but not boiling.) Turn off the heat and slowly whisk in the dry milk. Whisk in the maple syrup, if using. Let the milk mixture cool to 110 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes. Whisk in the plain yogurt.
• Pour the milk mixture into a large jar or glass bowl. Cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap vented with a few holes. Set aside in a warm place (90 degrees F to 105 degrees F), such as near a heater or in a cooler with a thermos filled with hot water, 12 to 18 hours. (The longer it sits, the thicker and tangier the yogurt will be.)
• Transfer the yogurt to the refrigerator; chill at least 8 hours. Stir before serving.
• Combine 6 cups diced peeled Granny Smith apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup water in a skillet over medium heat. Simmer until soft, stirring, about 30 minutes.

FUNKED OUT APPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine the apples, brown sugar, orange liqueur, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, lemon zest and pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, add the ice cream. Add the walnuts and maple syrup and stir well to combine. Scoop out the ice cream into 4 dishes and top with some of the warm apple compote. Drizzle with butterscotch sauce and sprinkle with the granola. Serve immediately.

APPLE RAISIN COMPOTE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped apples and turn to coat. Cook apples, stirring frequently, until golden in color, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Slowly stir maple syrup, water, brown sugar, raisins, and cinnamon into the apples. Reduce heat and simmer until a thick syrup forms, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let stand for several minutes to thicken. Serve hot, or refrigerate and serve cold.

CRANBERRY-APPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Whisk cider, corn syrup, and brown sugar in heavy large saucepan.
• Boil over high heat until reduced to one cup, about 15 minutes.
• Add 4 tablespoons butter; whisk until melted; remove from heat.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in another pan, heavy saucepan or skillet, over medium heat; add apple slices, and saute 2 minutes.
• Add cranberries and 1/2 cup sugar; stir until cranberries begin to pop, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in reduced cider mixture; boil until reduced to syrup consistency, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in remaining sugar, if desired.
• Can be made a day ahead; cover and refrigerate.
• Stir over medium heat until warmed through.
• Serve warm.

CREAMY YOGURT PORRIDGE WITH APPLE & RAISIN COMPOTE

Steps:

• For the apple topping: Poach apples in a covered pan with raisins and orange juice for 8-10 mins until the apple is tender. Mash a little of the apple to thicken the juice. Can be made ahead and chilled for up to 1 week. Serve warm or cold on the porridge with sunflower seeds.
• For the porridge: Tip 400ml water into a small non-stick pan and stir in porridge oats. Cook over a low heat until bubbling and thickened. (To make in a microwave, use a deep container to prevent spillage as the mixture will rise up as it cooks, and cook for 3 mins on High.) Stir in yogurt - or swirl in half and top with the rest.

WARM APPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir pecans in melted butter until lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer toasted pecans to a bowl with a slotted spoon, reserving butter in pan. Cook and stir apples in reserved butter until apples begin to soften, about 2 minutes; add sugar.
• Stir water, raisins, and salt into apple mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until raisins are plump, about 5 minutes. Add whiskey, vanilla extract, and toasted pecans.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE WITH FRESH APPLE AND PEAR

Steps:

• Cut large pieces of dried fruit into smaller pieces.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow fruit to steep for another 30 minutes or longer. Remove cinnamon stick and orange and lemon zest. Serve topped with whipped cream or yogurt if desired, or stir into your morning yogurt.

DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE WITH FRESH APPLE AND PEAR

Steps:

• Cut large pieces of dried fruit into smaller pieces.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Turn off heat and allow fruit to steep for 30 minutes or longer. Remove cinnamon stick and orange and lemon zest. Serve topped with whipped cream or yogurt if desired, or stir into your morning yogurt.

APPLE & PEAR COMPOTE WITH DATES (FOR 1)

Steps:

• Peel and core apple and pear. Dice into 2cm pieces.
• Place apple, pear and lemon juice in small saucepan. Cook, covered, over low heat for about 10 mins or until fruit is soft.
• Meanwhile, combine dates, orange rind and juice in a small microwave safe bowl. Cook in microwave, on high for 90 seconds, stirring twice during this time. Set aside to cool. (You could also cook this in a pan, on the stove, for about 5 mins or until liquid has been absorbed.).
• To serve place apple & pear mix in the bottom of the bowl and top with the dates.
• Top with finely shredded orange rind if desired.