Fresh Apricot Compote With Vanilla Bean Food

GERMAN APRICOT COMPOTE (APRIKOSENKOMPOTT)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place 1 to 2 pounds apricots in a medium saucepan, add 1/4 cup of water, and about 1/4 cup of sweetener to start and the spices of choice. Bring to a soft boil, reduce heat and simmer , uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Use hot or cold.
• Enjoy.

SUMMER APRICOT VICTORIA SPONGE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line the base and sides of two 20cm sandwich tins.
• Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric whisk for 8-10 mins, or until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt, and fold in using a large metal spoon. Add just enough of the milk to create a dropping consistency.
• Divide the batter between the prepared tins and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 mins, or until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool slightly in the tins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the filling. Spoon the conserve into a small pan and stir in the apricots and whole thyme sprigs. Warm over a low heat for 2 mins until loosened, then transfer to a heatproof bowl and leave to cool and infuse for 1-2 hrs.
• Whip the cream with the icing sugar and vanilla until the mixture just holds its shape (be careful not to overwhip - see tip, below).
• Remove and discard the whole thyme from the conserve mixture and stir in the thyme leaves. Spread the mixture over one of the sponges, then top with the vanilla whipped cream and sandwich with the remaining sponge. Dust the cake with some icing sugar. Will keep in the fridge for up to three days.

PANNA COTTA WITH APRICOT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Sprinkle the gelatine onto 3 tbsp water and soak for 5 mins. Scrape the seeds out of the vanilla pod into the pan and put the pod into the milk. Put the soya milk, zest, vanilla pod, sugar and rum into a pan. Heat until the liquid just comes to the boil (if using veggie gelatine, you'll need to bring it to the boil - check pack instructions), then remove from the heat and stir in the gelatine. Cool for 10 mins. If the gelatine clumps together, whisk thoroughly. Strain the milk mixture, then divide between 4 ramekins. Cover and refrigerate until set (approximately 2 hrs).
• Halve and stone the apricots. Put the sugar and 150ml water into a pan, then heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the apricots and cook over a gentle heat for 12-15 mins or until the apricots are soft, then leave to cool. Serve in a dish alongside the panna cotta.

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.