Spiced Winter Fruit Food

SPICED FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup each sliced dried apricots and dried cherries, 3 strips lemon zest, the juice of 1 lemon, a spoonful of sugar, 1 cinnamon stick and 2 tablespoons water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds. Toss with 2 segmented oranges, 2 sliced pears and a dash of vanilla; let sit at least 30 minutes. Serve with yogurt.
• Serves: 4 (does not include yogurt); Calories: 181; Total Fat: 0.5 gram; Saturated Fat: 0 grams; Protein: 2 grams; Total carbohydrates: 46 grams; Sugar: 35 grams; Fiber: 6 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 3 milligrams

SPIKED SUMMER FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Trim off all the peel and white pith from the oranges. Halve lengthwise and then slice crosswise into half-moons. Transfer to a large bowl and add the mixed berries and peaches.
• Combine the honey, 1/4 cup water and ginger slices in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the rum and strain over the fruit and toss well. Set aside to cool and allow the flavors to blend, at least 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate until cold.
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WARM WINTER FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Remove cover and simmer an additional 35 minutes or until liquid is reduced to desired consistency. Serve warm with turkey or pork.
• Recipe note: Compote may be made ahead of serving time. Cover and store in refrigerator. Reheat to a simmer for 10 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary, if desired.

SERIOUSLY GOOD SPICED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients, except the fruits, into a large saucepan and slowly bring to the boil, uncovered. Boil the syrup for 5 minutes then remove the pan from the heat.
• Top and tail the oranges, then slice off the skin and every scrap of pith, using a small, sharp kitchen knife. Cradle each orange in the palm of your hand, hold it over the saucepan and cut out the segments, letting them drop into the syrup. Squeeze any juice from the debris into the syrup, too, then discard.
• Add the apricots and plums to the syrup and return the saucepan to a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then simmer the fruits for 10 minutes. Leave to cool, then chill for at least 2 hours.
• Serve the poached fruits just as they are or as a brûlée: whisk the milk into the fromage frais to loosen it a little, then divide the fruits and enough juice to cover them, among six ovenproof ramekins and spoon on the fromage frais, thickly. Dust with caster sugar and then 'burn' the sugar with a blow-torch. (Or put the ramekins on a heavy baking sheet, place it under a very hot grill and leave for 1-2 minutes until the sugar has caramelised.)

WINTER SPICE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash and cut up the apples into small chunks, leaving the peel and cores in. Tip the apple into a large pan with the spices, orange peel and bay leaves, reserving 2 star anise, 4 cloves and 2 bay leaves for the jars. Cover with 600ml water. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer with a lid on for 1 1⁄2 hrs.
• Pour the apple mixture into a jelly bag or a sieve lined with muslin or a J-cloth, suspended over a large bowl. Leave to drip for 2 hrs (until it stops dripping) or overnight. Do not be tempted to push the liquid though the sieve or your jelly will become cloudy.
• Measure the juice - you should have about 600ml. Pour the liquid into a large pan along with the jam sugar and vinegar.
• Set over a low heat to dissolve the sugar, stirring constantly. Once dissolved, turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 15 mins, or until setting point is reached, skimming away any scum that rises to the surface.
• Pour jelly into hot sterilised jars and place a star anise, bay leaf and 2 cloves into each jar. Chill for 3-4 hrs or overnight until set.

WINTER FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Tip the fruits and 700ml/11⁄4 pints cold water into a large saucepan. Add the honey and vanilla, scraping the seeds from the pod into the pan. Bring to the boil. Stir well, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly syrupy.
• Take the pan off the heat and stir in the tea bag. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
• Discard the tea bag and vanilla pod, tip the fruits and liquid into a non-metallic bowl and pour over the lemon juice. Stir, then leave to cool. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

10-MINUTE WINTER FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Tip the dried fruit, orange juice and whole spices into a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on High for 4-5 mins, stirring halfway through until the juices become sticky and the fruits are plump.
• Leave the compote to stand for a minute and serve in bowls with spoonfuls of yogurt or fromage frais.

SPICED WINTER FRUIT

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.
• Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• Add quinces; cover and cook 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add sugar mixture, pear and apple; cover and cook 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in pepper; garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired.

WINTER SPICED FRUIT

Steps:

• Combine everything in a heavy non reactive pan and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• If the dried fruits are not sufficiently tender, add 1/4 cup of water and simmer and additional 15 minutes.
• Once the fruit is sufficently tender, remove the fruit to a serving bowl and strain the liquid over the fruit.