Ruby Grapefruit Compote Recipes

BLOOD ORANGE, GRAPEFRUIT AND POMEGRANATE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Set aside two oranges and a grapefruit half. Remove peel and pith from remaining oranges and grapefruit. Cut away both ends of the fruit so that it sits flat on your cutting board (it helps to use one with a canal around the edges so you can pour off the juice). Using a chef's knife, utility knife or a paring knife, cut skin and pith completely away from the fruit, following the natural curve of the fruit from top to bottom. Slice peeled fruit into rounds. Cut the grapefruit rounds into thirds or quarters and combine with the sliced oranges in a serving bowl. Pour accumulated juice into a separate, small bowl. Squeeze the juice from the remaining two oranges and grapefruit half (you need about 3/4 cup), and add to the small bowl. Peel and slice any remaining grapefruit and add to the bowl with the fruit. Set aside fruit while you make caramel syrup.
• Stir vanilla and port into the citrus juice. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water and agave nectar. With a wet pastry brush, brush down sides of pan to dislodge any stray sugar granules. Over medium heat, bring mixture to a boil, continuing to brush down any errant sugar crystals. Cover pan, turn heat down to medium-low and set timer for 4 minutes. Uncover and cook until the caramel is golden to amber. Swirl pan if necessary to distribute the darkening caramel, but do not stir. Bubbles should be breaking on the surface. Insert a candy thermometer and as soon as the caramel reaches 310 to 325 degrees (it will be a deep golden color), remove from heat and allow bubbles to subside.
• Carefully add juice-port mixture to the sugar mixture, standing away from pan to avoid splashes. Heat through over medium heat stirring with a heat-proof spatula. The caramel may seize on the spatula; just continue to stir and heat until the caramel has melted again and the juice and caramel come together. (The caramel is very hot so resist temptation to taste it.) Remove from heat and allow to cool, then pour over fruit. Toss gently. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

COMPOTE OF FRUIT

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup juice. In a small bowl, combine the pineapple, grapefruit and apple. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in lime juice and reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Pour over fruit and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

DRIED PEAR AND FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in medium saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove cloves, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Serve warm or cool. Serve with pork or lamb dishes, or as topping for ice cream. Store in an airtight container with lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

CITRUS COMPOTE WITH GRAPEFRUIT GRANITA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; cool slightly., Stir in grapefruit juice. Transfer to an 8-in. square dish. Freeze 1 hour. Stir with a fork. Freeze 2-3 hours longer or until completely frozen, stirring every 30 minutes., Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of each orange. Stand oranges upright on a cutting board. With a knife, cut off peel and outer membrane from oranges. Working over a bowl to catch juices, cut along the membrane of each segment to remove fruit. Place fruit in bowl. Repeat with grapefruit, removing any seeds., Peel and separate clementines into segments; add to oranges and grapefruit. Gently stir in pomegranate seeds., To serve, stir granita with a fork. Alternately layer granita and fruit mixture into six dessert dishes. Serve immediately.

RUBY GRAPEFRUIT GRANITA

Steps:

• Halve the grapefruits crosswise, and squeeze juice into a large wide bowl, allowing any pulp to fall in. Use a teaspoon to pluck out any seed or pith in the bowl.
• Whisk in sugar until completely dissolved. Pour mixture into a low baking dish to a depth of 1/2-inch. (A 9-by-13-inch baking dish will work.) Place the dish in the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight, until frozen solid. The frozen mixture will look like packed snow.
• Use a fork to smash the frozen mixture into rough chunks and transfer to 6 serving glasses. Place glasses in the freezer until serving time. If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon orange flower water per glass.

DRIED FRUIT AND FRESH GRAPEFRUIT COMPOTE

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer until fruit is tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer fruit to medium bowl using slotted spoon. Boil poaching liquid until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Pour syrup over fruit. Refrigerate until well chilled.
• Cut all peel and white pith from grapefruit. Working over bowl to catch juices, cut between membranes to remove sections. Add grapefruit to bowl. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover poached fruit and grapefruit separately and chill.) Drain grapefruit sections, reserving juice, and add to poached fruit. Thin syrup with grapefruit if desired and serve.

GRAPEFRUIT COMPOTE WITH POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Using a sharp paring knife, slice off stem and blossom ends of each grapefruit. Cut away the peel, and cut along the membranes to release segments. Place in a medium bowl, and set aside. Squeeze juice from membranes into a small saucepan.
• Add sugar to juice in pan; bring to a boil over high. Add rosemary, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until liquid is syrupy, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove rosemary and discard.
• Pour syrup over grapefruit in bowl; cover, and refrigerate until chilled, 45 minutes to 1 hour. To serve, spoon compote over pound cake slices, and garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.