Dried fruit compote - general principles of preparation
Dried fruit compote is a universal drink for children and adults, which, in addition to bright taste, gives the body a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Especially relevant drink in the winter season, when you feel a clear lack of vitamins and trace elements. The classic version of dried fruit compote involves the use of dried apples, pears, prunes and dried apricots. You can also add raisins or cherries to sweets, and rose hips for flavor and good. There is no special cooking technique for dried fruit compote - all the ingredients are taken by eye, and there is no strictly prescribed cooking time. Compote boil until all ingredients are cooked. True, pears with apples are better laid out earlier than the other ingredients, as they cook a little longer. Compote of dried fruit is usually boiled on a slow fire, and then infused for several hours.
To make the drink even tastier and more fragrant, honey, lemon juice (or citric acid), frozen berries and seasonings (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, etc.) are sometimes added to it. If honey is used, it is better not to add sugar at all or to use a very small amount. Sometimes the drink is boiled from dried fruits with the addition of vegetables (for example, pumpkin).
In general, dried fruit compote belongs to the category of low-calorie soft drinks. It perfectly quenches thirst and improves the gastrointestinal tract. The drink is very useful for children. No wonder it is given in kindergartens, school canteens and hospitals. To normalize the work of the intestine, a perfect set of dried fruits from prunes, dried apricots and apples. This drink is useful for nursing mothers and even babies. It is perfectly absorbed by the body and does not cause allergic reactions. You can always experiment with the composition and choose any proportions: if someone likes more pears or prunes, you can increase the number of these dried fruits, etc. For babies, it is better to use only apples and cook the drink for at least 15-20 minutes.
Compote from dried fruits - preparation of products and dishes
The preparation of the ingredients consists in thorough washing the dried fruit. If some of them are very dry, you can pour them for a few minutes (about 10) with hot water. Then the water is drained and the dried fruits are washed again. You also need to pre-cook the spices and seasonings, measure the right amount of sugar. Frozen berries are thrown into the pan immediately, without first defrosting. Fresh lemon is usually cut into small slices or squeeze the juice into a separate cup.
From the dishes you will need a large enamel pan, a colander, a soaking bowl and a knife (if you need to cut the lemon). Serve the drink should be chilled in any bowls, glasses, wine glasses or glasses. By the way, compote of dried fruits can be prepared in a slow cooker. Prepare a drink in the mode of "quenching" for 1-2 hours.
Recipes for dried fruit compote:
Recipe 1: Dried Fruit Compote
Such a compote of dried fruit is suitable for a hot summer day, as it quenches thirst and refreshes perfectly. It is recommended to drink it chilled. In addition, the drink helps to improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract and removes toxins and toxins from the body.
Ingredients Required:
- 150-200 g of apples;
- Prunes - 80-100 g;
- Dried apricots - 50 g;
- 50 g pears;
- Lemon juice or citric acid;
- Sugar - to taste (but too sweet compote is better not to do).
Preparation Method:
All ingredients are thoroughly washed in water, and very dry dried fruits can be soaked for a few minutes in hot water. Pour 3 liters of water into a large enameled pan and set it on fire. As soon as the water begins to boil, we lay out the apples first and cook over a very slow fire for about half an hour. Then lay out all the remaining ingredients and cook compote for another 30-40 minutes. At the end of cooking, add sugar to taste. If the compote turned out to be a little thickish, you can pour some more boiled water. Boil the compote of dried fruit until sugar is completely dissolved. Sprinkle with citric acid at the tip of a knife or add a little lemon juice. Remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid and leave to cool at room temperature. The drink becomes especially tasty after insisting in a cool place for a few hours. Compote from dried fruits can be served to cheesecake, strudel, biscuit, etc.
Recipe 2: Dried Fruit Compote with Pumpkin
Pumpkin gives dried fruit compote a very pleasant rich flavor. The drink is not only tasty, but also very useful. In addition to the usual dried fruits, rose hips are also included.
Ingredients Required:
- Dried fruits - to taste;
- Dried rosehip - 50 g;
- Pumpkin;
- Sugar - to taste;
- Cinnamon - 1 stick.
Preparation Method:
Pumpkin pulp cut into small cubes. Dried fruits are washed thoroughly, if required - soaked for a few minutes in hot water. Pour into a large pot a liter or one and a half of water, add sugar to taste and throw a few handfuls of dry rosehip. Rosehip should boil for 10-15 minutes to a soft state. Water will acquire a rich pink color. Then lay out dried fruit and pumpkin. We throw a stick of cinnamon in the pan - it will give the drink a special spicy taste and aroma. Cook compote about 20 minutes (before cooking pumpkin). Then remove the pan from the heat, cover with a lid and leave to infuse for a few hours and cool.
Recipe 3: Compote of dried fruit with raisins
When you taste such a compote of dried fruit, childhood and school years are immediately remembered. After all, such a drink was given in almost all school canteens. Brewed compote of apples, pears, prunes, dried apricots and raisins.
Ingredients Required:
- Dried apples - 100 g;
- Pear - 100 g;
- Prunes - 100-150 g;
- Apricot;
- Raisin (in general, all proportions are conditional, ingredients are taken by eye and according to one's own taste).
Preparation Method:
Dried fruits are washed with water, pour boiling water, bring to a boil and drain the water. First, cook pears, apples and dried apricots: pour water, bring to a boil, make the fire minimal and cook for about half an hour. Then put prunes and raisins in the pan. Turn down the heat and cook the compote of dried fruit for another 30 minutes. We remove the finished compote from the heat, cover it with a lid and remove it - it is better for the whole night. Ready compote can be drained, and healthy prunes and dried apricots can be eaten. Sugar is not added here - compote takes all the sweetness of dried fruit, especially - from raisins.
Recipe 4: Compote of dried fruit with frozen raspberries
Such a drink is not only tasty, but also very useful. You can cook it at least every day. Compote of dried fruits with frozen raspberries will be a great addition to the festive table, especially children love it.
Ingredients Required:
- 100 g dried apricots;
- 100 g of prunes;
- 100 g of raisins;
- 100 g dried apples;
- 150 g of sugar;
- Half a lemon;
- Frozen raspberry berries;
- One and a half liters of water.
Preparation Method:
Boil water in the kettle. Fill the dried fruit with hot water for 1-2 minutes, then drain the water. Dried fruits once again thoroughly washed. Put dried fruits in a large pot. Lemon cut into small pieces and lay out in a saucepan. We pour out sugar. Add frozen raspberries. Fill all with boiling water and set to cook. Cook compote of dried fruits on low heat for about 25-30 minutes (under the lid). You need to cook such a compote in advance, so that the drink has time to infuse. Serve compote when chilled.
Recipe 5: Compote of dried fruits with honey
Very unusual, but incredibly delicious compote of dried fruit. The drink has a pleasant enveloping taste and rich aroma.
Ingredients Required:
- Cherries - 20 g;
- Apples - 20 g;
- 40 g pears;
- 40 g of plums;
- 20 g raisins;
- Honey - 80 g;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation Method:
Dried fruits are washed thoroughly in cold water and laid out in a large saucepan. Fill the dried fruit with boiled water and set on fire. Cook compote of dried fruit until tender. First you need to cook apples and pears, and then add the rest of the ingredients to them. We mix the finished dried fruit, add honey to the pan and mix it thoroughly again. We bring the compote to a boil, turn off the fire and cover the pan with a lid. Leave the drink to infuse and cool.
Compote from dried fruits - secrets and useful tips from the best chefs
To compote dried fruit turned out not only tasty, but also useful, you should carefully select the ingredients. Usually dried fruits are bought on the market, so little is known about the conditions of transportation and storage. To protect yourself and loved ones from the troubles, it is better to rinse the dried fruit in water, then pour it with water and bring to a boil. After that, this water needs to be drained and the fruits are washed again with clean water. If you get too dried dried apricots, prunes or other dried fruits, it is recommended to soak them for 10 minutes in a bowl of boiling water. Dried fruit compote is best served chilled. It is believed that the most delicious drink becomes the next day. It is also very important to properly store dried fruits. We can not allow in the closet there were foreign, strongly smelling objects or products. The humidity of the ambient air should be minimal, otherwise the dried fruits will spoil. You can put a small bag of salt in the closet so that excess moisture can be absorbed into it.
