Stewed Dried Fruit Compote

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried fruit (apricots, peaches, pears, or raisins)
• Warm water for soaking
• Sugar (1/2 cup per 3 cups cooking liquid)
• 1 cup brown sugar (for pears)
• Juice of 1 lemon (for pears)
• 1 cup raisins (for pears)
• Thin orange peel (for peaches)

Method

1. 1 Soak dried fruit in warm water for 15 minutes, then wash thoroughly. Cover with water and soak for 6-12 hours until plumped.
2. 2 Drain fruit, reserving the liquid. Measure the liquid and add 1/2 cup sugar for every 3 cups of juice.
3. 3 Boil the sugar and liquid mixture in a saucepan until thick to create a syrup.
4. 4 Pour the hot syrup over the drained fruit. Cook gently until tender, or bake slowly in a covered casserole dish.