Homemade Fruit Compote with Warming Herbs and Spices
This compote is a balm for an irritated or unbalanced digestive system. The herbs and spices can help ease discomfort from gas, and the cooked fruits in the compote offer pectin and other helpful food for your gut bacteria. It’s a great breakfast (or even a dessert!) and is good warm or cold, alone or with yogurt, or a smoothie, or on oatmeal, or on whatever you would like!
Making a large batch and freezing some in smaller containers can make it an easy grab when you need a little support. For extra digestive support you can sprinkle in the contents of a probiotic capsule before eating.
Some options include (but are by no means limited to!):
Fruits (fresh or dried) |
Herbs and spices |
Other |
Apples |
Honey |
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Peaches |
Sugar |
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Pears |
Maple syrup |
|
Plums / prunes |
Vanilla extract |
|
Berries |
Almond extract |
|
Mango |
Citrus peel / zest |
|
Banana |
||
Cherries |
Molasses |
|
Grapes |
||
Pomegranate |
||
Papaya |
||
Figs |
|
Directions to Make Compote
- Place the chopped fruits in a small saucepan.
- Add a few tablespoons of water and any sweetener you desire, just enough to barely cover the bottom of the pan. If you are using only or mostly dried fruits, you will need to add a little more water or tea to moisten.
- Sprinkle in your preferred spices and stir well.
- Cook, covered, over medium-high heat until the fruit is softened but not completely mushy, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and cool.
- The compote will keep in the refrigerator for a week or two and can also be frozen.
Warming Spice Blend
- 4 tsp. organic cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp. organic turmeric root powder
- ½ tsp. organic ginger root powder
- ½ tsp. organic fennel seed powder
- ½ tsp. organic cardamom powder
- ¼ tsp. organic ground black pepper
Directions
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight jar for later use.