Fruit Compotes

I have recently discovered fruit compotes. After all the hedonism around food that surrounds Christmas and New Year and falling into the sugar trap, it is difficult to wean your taste buds off that fondness for sweet things. Fruit compotes are a good way off making the transition - made without sugar of course!

They're great with porridge for breakfast or with yogurt as a treat or dessert later in the day. Try these recipes.

Plum Compote

800g firm but ripe plums halved and stoned

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise

2 cloves

125g organic maple syrup

1. Put the plums, spices and maple syrup in a saucepan with 50ml of water and bring to the boil.

2. Turn down the heat and cover with a lid and simmer for 15 mins.

3. If you prefer a thicker consistency then simmer the compote for a further 10-15 mins until it looks more like a jam.

This is delicious warm or cold. It will keep in the fridge for a few days if you want to ration your portions!!

This recipe can be adapted to use other fruit and spice combinations. Why not try blueberry and lime, apple and cinnamon, pear and cardamom. I plan to experiment with this over the next few weeks and will post any successes I think you might like!

Watch out blueberries you might become a compote.