Melon Nectarine Grape And Plum Compote Recipes

EASY FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• To prepare the fruit: If you're using fresh strawberries or peaches, cut them into thin slices. If you're using small berries like blueberries or raspberries, you can use them whole. If you're using frozen fruit, no need to defrost or slice them before using.
• In a medium saucepan, combine your fruit of choice, sweetener of choice and dash of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. This will take about 5 minutes for fresh fruit or 10 minutes for frozen fruit.
• Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium. If you're using chunky fruit or prefer a smoother consistency, mash the fruit with a potato masher or serving fork until it reaches your desired consistency. Continue simmering, stirring often, until the compote has condensed to about half of its original volume, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the compote from the heat. I'm generally satisfied with my compote at this point, but if the compote isn't sweet enough for your liking, you can stir in a more sweetener, to taste. If you'd like it to be more smooth, mash it some more.
• Let the compote cool for a few minutes before serving. Allow leftover compote to cool completely before covering and refrigerating for up to 10 days.

STONE-FRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine fruit, honey, pinch of salt, water, and desired flavor combination (optional). Cook over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until fruit is soft, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a pint-size jar and let cool.

MELON COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a 1-quart saucepan bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, and simmer 2 minutes. Cool syrup and stir in lime juice, gingerroot, cumin, pepper, and salt to taste. In a bowl toss together melon balls and syrup. Chill compote, covered, at least until cold, about 2 hours, and up to 3 days.

NECTARINE, PLUM, AND RASPBERRY PIE

Steps:

• Pastry:
• Blend together flour, butter, shortening, and salt in a bowl with your fingertips (or pulse in a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal with some roughly pea-size butter lumps. Drizzle evenly with 5 tablespoons ice water and gently stir with a fork (or pulse) until incorporated.
• Squeeze a small handful: If it doesn't hold together, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring (or pulsing) until just combined. (Do not overwork mixture, or pastry will be tough.)
• Turn out dough onto a work surface and divide into 6 portions. With the heel of your hand, smear each portion once or twice in a forward motion to help distribute fat. Gather all of dough together with scraper and press into 2 balls, then flatten each into a 5" disk. Chill dough, each disk wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Filling and assembly:
• Toss nectarines, plums, raspberries, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of sugar in a large bowl.
• Grind tapioca to a powder in grinder, then whisk together with cornstarch, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl (do not toss with fruit until dough is rolled out).
• Roll out 1 disk of dough on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin, into a 13"-14" round, then fit into a 9" pie plate and trim edge, leaving a 1" overhang.
• Roll out remaining disk to a 14" round. Slide round onto a baking sheet. Cover and chill both crusts for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 400° with rack in lower third. Toss sugar mixture with fruit and transfer to chilled pie shell.
• Using fluted pastry wheel (or other utensil), cut chilled dough round into 3/4"-wide strips. Weave strips over filling, forming a lattice. Trim strips 1/2" shorter than dough overhang. Fold overhang over strips and crimp edges decoratively.
• Brush beaten egg over crust edges and lattice. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar over crust. Set pie on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with foil.
• Bake pie 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue to bake, checking frequently and covering edge with a strip of foil or pie shield if crusts are browning too fast, until crusts are golden brown and filling is bubbling, 40-50 minutes more.
• Cool pie to room temperature on a rack, at least 2 hours.

SUMMER FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine melon, apricots, nectarines and plums. Add apricot jam, wine and lemon juice. Toss well to coat. Refrigerate for up to 4 hours, or serve immediately.
• To serve, add berries to macerated fruit and gently fold together. Spoon into bowls or glasses, and garnish with figs, if using.

MELON, NECTARINE, GRAPE, AND PLUM COMPOTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the watermelon, the cantaloupe, the honeydew, the plums, the nectarines, and the grapes. In a small bowl stir together the sugar, the salt, and the lime juice until the sugar and salt are dissolved, drizzle the syrup over the fruit, and toss the mixture gently until it is combined well. Chill the compote, covered, stirring gently once or twice, overnight.