Pear Date Compote Food

CINNAMON PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put pears, raisins, juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter into a small pot and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
• Add vinegar, salt and pepper and continue to cook until juice is thickened and pears just begin to fall apart, about 5 minutes more. Set aside to let cool for 5 minutes, then serve.

APPLE, PEAR & CHERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put the apples and pears in a pan with the sugar and 50ml water. Bring to a simmer, then gently cook, covered, for 15 mins or so until the Bramley apple has collapsed to a purée and the eating apple and pear are tender (stir to make sure it doesn't catch on the bottom).
• Stir in the cherries or cranberries for 1 min, taste and add a little more sugar if necessary. Can be chilled for 3-5 days. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if you like. See 'Goes well with' for ideas for using up the compote.

PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Bring 1/2 cup dry white wine, 1/2 split vanilla bean, 1 star anise pod and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a simmer; cook until reduced by half, 4 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 chopped peeled pears and 3 tablespoons water; simmer 8 more minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon chopped thyme, increase the heat and simmer until syrupy, 1 to 4 minutes. Let cool.

PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small pot. Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes. Uncover and cook for another 10 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and turns syrupy. Discard the clove. Serve warm, or store and serve cold from the fridge.

DATE COMPOTE WITH FRESH PEARS

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan, melt butter over low heat. When it has melted, add the pear slices and toss to coat. Chop the dates into small pieces and add to the pears. Add the honey and a cinnamon and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add a little water to loosen, if necessary. Add the zest and juice from the lemon and stir.
• Serve with pancakes, if desired, and a dollop of sour cream.

PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Place aniseed on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with kitchen string to form a bag. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Add spice bag. Bring to a boil; boil for 5 minutes. Discard spice bag. , Add the pears, apricots, raisins and cherries to sugar syrup. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until pears are tender. Stir in lemon juice. Serve warm or chilled.

PEAR & SAFFRON COMPOTE

Steps:

• Top and tail the pears, then peel. Quarter and cut out the cores, then chop into small chunks.
• In a medium pan, sauté the shallot, ginger and garlic in the oil for about 3 mins, then crush in the saffron and cook for 1 min. Tip in the sugar and cook on a medium heat until it begins to caramelise lightly (give the pan a good shake and stir if it starts to clump). Deglaze by stirring in the vinegar and cook for a min until absorbed.
• Stir in about 100ml cold water and bring to the boil. Add the pears and dried fruit with a little seasoning and stir gently. Cook on a medium heat for 3-5 mins until soft (length of cooking will depend on the ripeness of the pears). Remove and cool. Will keep in the fridge for 3 days.

WARM PEAR COMPOTE

Steps:

• Peel and core the pears and cut into eighths; set aside.
• In a medium-size saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon or allspice. Stir in the juice or fruit nectar and mix well. Place the pan on medium-high heat and cook the sauce, stirring, until the mixture is smooth. Add the pears and bring the sauce to a gentle boil.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 15 - 20 minutes or until the pears are just tender, almost translucent, and the syrup is thick. Stir in the rum and butter and heat a few minutes longer.

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.

CINNAMON ROASTED PEAR OR APPLE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Peel, core, and dice the fruit into 3/4-inch pieces.
• Place the fruit, sweetener or choice, lemon juice and cinnamon in an oven-proof casserole with a lid and mix well.
• Bake covered for 25 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 2o minutes or until the fruit is tender.
• Cool to room temperature and use as desired.