Brandied Fruit Compote Recipes

FRIENDSHIP BRANDY FRUIT STARTER

Steps:

• TO START: Combine all ingredients in a clean, large glass jar.
• Stir gently with wooden spoon.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature for three weeks, stirring at least twice a week.
• Fruit is fermented when it is translucent.
• CARE AND FEEDING: Stir mixture daily.
• Every two weeks add one cup sugar and one cup of fruit and stir gently. Alternate fruits each time.
• Cover and let stand at room temperature at least three days before using.
• Do not add fruit more often than once every two weeks.
• Do not delay adding fruit for more than one or two days past schedule.
• IMPORTANT: To keep the starter going, retain at least three cups at all times.
• SHARING: Whenever you have more than six cups of fermented fruit, you may divide it into two portions, being sure there are at least three cups in each portion.
• Do this just before you would do a normal feeding.
• Feed each portion.
• Give one portion to a friend (with Care and Feeding directions) and keep one for yourself.
• Search on "friendship fruit" to find recipes that use this.
• There is also a Friendship Sourdough Starter (Recipe #647936) - yum!

BRANDIED DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the currants, cranberries, cherries, pears and apricots. Zest the orange and add the zest to the bowl. Add the lemon, ginger, anise seeds, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom.
• Juice the orange and add the liquid to the bowl. Add the brandy and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to a jar, cover and refrigerate. (If you don't have a jar that's large enough, keep the mixture in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap.) Allow the fruit to sit in the liquid for 2 to 14 days before using. The flavor of the fruit, spices and brandy will improve with time. At least once a day, turn the jar upside-down (or thoroughly stir the mixture if it's in a bowl) to make sure all the dried fruit gets coated in the brandied liquid. The mixture keeps in the refrigerator for months, stored in an airtight container.

12-FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Bring the six kinds of dried fruit and the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan. Simmer gently about 20 minutes, until the fruit is plump and tender.
• Add the cherries, apples, cranberries, lemon, cloves, cinnamon sticks and sugar to taste. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
• Grate the orange, reserving the grated peel. Peel off the rest of the skin and divide the orange into segments. Add them along with the grapes and brandy. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
• Add reserved grated orange peel and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes. Serve warm or chilled.

OLD-FASHIONED FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, peaches and oranges, reserving the juices; set drained fruit aside. In a Dutch oven, combine fruit juice, dried fruits, lemon zest strips and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until dried fruit is tender, about 30 minutes. Add reserved canned fruit and cherries; heat just until warmed through. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MIXED BERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Dissolve cornstarch in brandy in a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine mixed berries, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixture and boil until berries break down and compote thickens to the desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes.

HOT FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Pour pears, peaches, and cherries with their liquids into the prepared baking dish; stir. Stir oats and 1/4 cup brown sugar together in a bowl; sprinkle over the fruit mixture. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar over the oat layer. Sprinkle cinnamon over the brown sugar. Arrange butter pieces evenly over the top.
• Bake until hot, bubbly, and slightly brown at edges, about 20 minutes.

HOT FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°. Drain canned fruit, reserving syrup and juice; mix syrup and juice. Cut pears and peaches into bite-size pieces. Layer canned and dried fruit in 3-quart casserole or rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches.
• Mix brown sugar and brandy; pour over fruit. Pour reserved juice mixture over fruit just until fruit is covered; discard remaining juice mixture. Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and almonds over fruit.
• Bake uncovered about 45 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm or cool.