Apple Compote

Ingredients

One  3-pound bag of mixed apples, blemished is fine

1/4 cup orange juice

1 stick cinnamon


Cooking Instructions

Wash apple carefully as you will keep the peels on but remove any really nasty bruised sections.

Core and cut into quarters; then cut into chunks and place in a large pot with a lid.

Add orange juice to pot and stir so apples won’t oxidize and turn brown.

Add cinnamon stick.

Put pot over a low flame with the lid on for 15 minutes.  Continue to cook for approximately another 30 minutes until compote reaches your preferred texture. If consistency is too wet, remove lid and boil down.

Discount grab bags of fruit can vary in size, but this 3-pound version makes quite a bit of compote.  This allows you to play with a whole range of condiments to add later such as finely chopped nuts, candied fruit (I love orange peel), pomegranate seeds, granola or whatever flavors or textures which appeal to your taste.  When I serve this as a dessert, I gussy it up a bit, putting it in a crystal martini glass with a dollop of crème fraiche and a splash of good Calvados.