How to Stew Fruit

Stewed fruit, sometimes called fruit compote, has been a popular dessert served for hundreds of years. It is sometimes associated with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, but many other different cultures also use stewed fruit in their cultural dishes. The most popular stewed fruits are prunes, apples, cranberries, and cherries, although you can stew many other fruits as well.

Fruit compote is sometimes served spooned over cake, or drizzled with rich custard. However you serve it, it's surprisingly easy to make at home. Below is a general recipe which will teach you how to stew fruit.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large cooking pot with a lid
• 3 cups water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 of a pound of fruit (such as apples or prunes)
• 2 lemon slices
• Cinnamon stick (optional)
• Whole cloves (optional)

1. Select the fruit you would like to stew. As mentioned in the introduction, some popular choices include prunes, apples, cherries, or cranberries, but you may opt for a different fruit of your choice such as pears or apricots.
   
   Be sure to select fruit that is ripe but not over ripe, with no bruises or spoiled portions. You will need approximately 3/4 of a pound of fruit.

2. Wash the fruit well. If you are using a fruit such as apples or pears, you should remove the skin or peel. Slice the fruit into portions, removing the core, and optionally removing the pits.

3. Place the fruit into your large cooking pot. Add 3 cups of water. Allow this to soak overnight, or for at least 12 hours. This will soften your fruit.

4. Optionally, you may add 1 stick of cinnamon, and/or a few whole cloves. This adds a lovely spicy note to the fruit, very popular in the fall. If you are using these, allow them to cook with the fruit in the step below.

5. Using the same water in which you have soaked your fruit, bring the fruit to a boil over low heat. Allow this to simmer until your fruit is thoroughly cooked. The exact time depends on the fruit you have chosen. You will know it is done when the fruit is soft and tender.

6. Add the juice of two lemon slices, and 1/3 cup of white sugar. Stir this in well.

7. Strain out the cinnamon stick or whole cloves if you've added any. Remove from the stove top, and allow to cool.

8. Serve and enjoy! Stewed fruit may be served slightly warm, or chilled, so the choice is up to you. It makes a good accompaniment to pound cake or custard, or may even be served over meat like pork chops.
   
   This recipe will generally yield enough to serve 9 people.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add up to 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Add this gradually, while stirring, as the fruit is cooking.

[Traqqer]

on 11/8/2009 Nice. This a really healthy desert, and you can even leave the sugar off, depending on what fruit is used.