What is Fresh Cherry Compote?
Compote is simply fruit slowly simmered in water , sugar and spices. A lot of recipes for compote use either lemon juice or orange juice to add a sour acidic finish . On cold rainy days like the one I’m having today it’s such a comforting treat . During the winter I find myself like most of us craving warm cozy flavors . I happen to have an abundant amount of cherries right now so I’m using cherries. Other great options like apples , pears, raspberries , blueberries, and blackberries all make fantastic compote. From start to finish you can have a sweet bowl of fruit compote in less than 30 minutes so lets make some!
Ingredients for Cherry Compote
Fruit of your choice . I’m using cherries .
Sugar . I’m using brown sugar . 1/4 cup for 1lb of chopped cherries
spices. I’m going to simmer my cherries with 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon but a cinnamon stick works nicely too. You can also try cloves whole or ground just make sure to remove the whole cloves before serving or preserving .
Two teaspoons of water for simmering . Add more if your pot seems dry but a teaspoon at a time . The cherries or fruit will release their own liquid.
Lemon or orange juice squeezed 2 tablespoons at the end .
How to make cherry compote
Start by chopping up your cherries . I just chopped around the pit .
Put them in your pot , add two teaspoons of water then turn your stove on low flame and set a timer for 15 minutes.
Low and slow is the key here . You want your fruit to release it’s own juices and sweetness . You’re not trying to boil your fruit here just a gentle simmer.
I needed 20 minutes for my cherries to soften but keep an eye on your fruit. You don’t need to stir often just let them do their thing! Try a spoonful at the 15 minute mark and if it’s to your liking the texture turn off the heat and let your compote cool down a bit.
After 5 minutes I squeeze in a quarter of cut lemon then wait 10 more minutes to put them into a container and into the fridge .
Uses for cherry compote
I just love eating a bowl of fresh fruit compote. It’s pure comfort for me with a good book ! It makes an incredible topping for pancakes , waffles , crepes , and toast. It pairs wonderfully with the saltiness of ricotta cheese and the creamy sourness of greek yogurt. I’ve even mixed it with chia seed pudding . If you make some please let me know and share some photos! I love the versatility of fruit compote and hope try some . XO Tera
