Berry Compote – a healthy recipe for summer treats | FitDiary (2024)

FAQs

What is berry compote made of? ›

Compote (or compôte) is French for “mixture.” It is basically a sweet, chunky fruit sauce made with whole or chopped fresh or frozen fruit and sugar. The fruit and sugar are typically cooked on the stovetop for a brief time until the fruit has softened and collapsed into a delicious fruit sauce.

Compote is not as thick as jam or jelly, and it's meant to be consumed relatively soon after making (it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator). It's not designed to be canned or preserved for the months or years ahead.

Each serving provides: An excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin B6.

Serve this frozen berry compote warm or chilled over pancakes, ice cream, yogurt, toast, waffles, oatmeal... endless possibilities and sure to please any palate.

Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To keep compotes for longer, freeze, in batches, in plastic containers so you can defrost only as much as you need. Spices Oriental flavours such as star anise, ginger and cardamom are fantastic for fruit with a rich flavour, such as plums and berries.

Compotes are delicious served all by themselves as a dessert at the end of a meal. They are usually served warm but are sometimes chilled. They can also be used as the star ingredient in other dishes.

But compotes go bad after a few weeks.

Whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water until smooth. Pour the slurry into the compote after it has broken down and simmer 1-2 minutes, or until thickened to your desired texture.

Why Fresh Berries Go Bad. Everyone says you shouldn't wash berries until just before you eat them because moisture shortens their shelf life. But the truth is, berries carry mold spores that cause them to go deteriorate very quickly. And that mold can spread through a whole basket of berries in a flash.

The dish was originally served by itself in 17th century France as a dessert item. Interestingly enough, the dessert was originally created for its supposed health benefits. The idea was that this dessert, or fruits cooked in any syrup, balanced out the effects of humidity in the body.

Are cooked berries healthy? ›

Fresh and cooked berries both have health benefits, but there are some differences. Eating fresh berries can provide more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are sensitive to heat and can be lost during cooking. Fresh berries also have more fiber and water, which can aid in digestion and hydration.

Compotes are all-purpose serving dishes. These usually footed bowls -- with or without lids or covers -- held special desserts, fruits, candies or sauces, jellies and other foods. Blown or pressed glass compotes provided a culinary presentation method suitable to 19th-century middle-class households.

Food glossary

Uses: Compotes can be served warm or cold as a dessert or for breakfast. Stir into natural yogurt or serve with ice cream or cream. Mix into trifles, muesli, jellies, fruit salads or mousses. Add to pies, puddings and soufflés or blend and serve as a hot or cold sauce.

Compote is a type of fruit spread made from whole fruit or chunks of fruit combined with sugar syrup. It is slowly cooked to create its signature flavor.

Compote and jam are relatively similar and you can substitute one for another with certain considerations. Compote is less spreadable. Most jam has a fairly uniform consistency, which makes it easy to spread. Compote, which may feature whole pieces of fruit, can be a bit harder to evenly spread.

Jam is made from crushed or chopped fruit and sugar, and has a chunky texture. Jelly is made from fruit juice and sugar, and has a smooth, translucent texture. Compote is made from whole or large pieces of fruit that are cooked in a syrup made from sugar and water. It has a thicker texture than jelly.