How to cook compote from dried fruits: 12 recipes

For older people dried fruit compote reminds us of a carefree childhood and merry school breaks, when everyone rushed to the canteen to be refreshed. After a hearty lunch in the Soviet era was always given a glass of delicious drink. In those days, compote in schoolchildren served as a kind of bargaining chip, since the price of all arguments and bets was a portion of the drink.

Devoted love for the decoction of dried berries and fruits in many foreigners is still perplexing. They cannot understand why in Russia and the CIS countries they first remove water from fruits by drying, and then these same gifts of gardens are boiled with sugar. It is worth noting that dried fruits were invented in the East, but it was in the former post-Soviet republics that these sweets became extremely popular.

Dried fruit compote is a great thirst-quencher and warms in the winter cold. It is included in different diets, adults and kids drink it with pleasure. Any carbonated drink loses in comparison with compote. There are so many recipes for making compote that even connoisseurs of culinary traditions can be confused by such an abundance of options. But before studying them, it is worth considering in detail the useful properties of this popular drink.

What is useful for dried fruit compote?

Compote from dried fruits for all the characteristics is a universal product. In addition, it has virtually no restrictions for consumption. Therefore, mothers prepare it for infants up to one year, pregnant women are also allowed to nourish the vitamin decoction. Even diabetics include in their diet compote from dried berries and fruits, but without added sugar. The caloric value of even a very rich decoction is about 70 units, so people with excess weight willingly supplement their diet for weight loss with it.

But the main secret of the drink lies in its composition. The fact that in the process of natural drying of fruits and berries all the vitamins and minerals are preserved. Therefore compote is able to replenish the reserve of useful substances during the seasonal avitaminosis. Of course, much depends on the type of dried fruit, because the composition of fresh fruits of different species differ in content.

Kompot, prepared from quality dried fruits, has the following beneficial effects on the body:

1. Almost all gifts of gardens and overseas fruits are rich in ascorbic acid, which provides the body's resistance to infectious agents.
2. The presence of fiber in the composition improves digestion, in which especially prunes and apricots excel.
3. Pears and apples reduce intracranial pressure.
4. Bactericidal properties are beneficial to the urinary system.
5. Blueberries contain components that improve eyesight.
6. Raisins contain a whole complex of elements that strengthen the heart muscle.
7. Almost all dried fruits have a positive effect on blood circulation.
8. Due to the iron content, products of this group increase hemoglobin.

You can also add that drinking a glass of compote almost immediately improves the mood. Therefore, such a drink can be used as a cure for depression. Especially dried bananas and figs have an ability to increase the emotional background.

Do not forget about a purely gastronomic component of fruit broth. In the traditions of Slavic cuisine for centuries, there is a rule to drink juice, tea or any other beverage after every meal. Kompot for this mission fits better than other options, because it is the safest.

Important: Before preparing the decoction, you need to treat dried fruit very carefully, because all the dirt and dust, if they are not removed, will then settle at the bottom of the pot. Even repeated straining of the liquid will not help to completely remove dangerous impurities.

What dried fruits can be used for compote

In principle, any berries and fruits retain their useful qualities, if they are properly dried. The most commonly made compote is made from the following dried fruits:

1. Apricots - helps to get rid of edema and anemia.
2. Prunes - improves the digestive system and is indispensable for low hemoglobin.
3. Apples and pears are useful for kidneys and liver.
4. Raisins - rich in magnesium, which is necessary for the normal state of the nervous system and heart.
5. Figs - beneficial to the pancreas and respiratory organs.
6. Cherry tree activates the mental activity.

Popular are exotic fruits: bananas, dates, pineapple.

The basis for a delicious and healthy compote today you can buy in any store. Many rational dacha owners make their own such preparations.

Useful tip: The drink will turn out rich in taste and content, if it is prepared from several kinds of dried fruit. And each time, changing the composition of the components, you can get a compote with a different taste and a set of useful elements.

How to choose a good dried fruit

Only at first glance it may seem that the choice of dried fruit is a trifling matter. In fact, it is a very difficult, almost jewelry process. Not by chance the connoisseurs in this field advise to remember the ancient wisdom that not every gold shines brightly while choosing a quality product. Translating the phrase into plain language for the buyer, it can be said that dried fruits with a beautiful glossy sheen should be avoided. In fact, for each type of such products there are their own selection criteria, which are very difficult to keep in mind at the same time. So let's dwell on the general rules of choice:

1. It is better to buy ready-made mixtures of dried fruit at farmers' markets. Such products are less chemically treated.
2. If each ingredient is bought separately, it is necessary to assess its appearance. Dried fruit should be supple, without dark spots and white patches.
3. When buying packaged products, you should study the information about the date of manufacture, expiration date, and the manufacturer. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of additional substances. Any kind of dried fruit is a natural product, which simply can't have extraneous components: dyes, preservatives or sweeteners.
4. As a rule, fruit mixes are sold in transparent packaging, so the presence of dirt and sand is not difficult to notice.
5. According to current GOST standards, the mixes consist of sliced pears and apples. Raisins with apricots and prunes are sold whole.
6. Unfortunately, today in the sale are more common dried fruits, which have gone through a multi-step process of chemical processing. Such products look flawless, but they have little health benefits. On the contrary, made from chemically treated fruit compote can provoke allergies or cause poisoning.

We should always remember that after drying all, without exception, berries and fruits lose their external appeal and luster. So it is better to pass by the bright orange apricots, golden figs and amber raisins. Quality dried fruits are wrinkled, with a matte gray surface. But if you can't resist the shine and bright hues, such products should be soaked for a few hours, then drain the water and rinse well. It is not recommended to scald dried fruits with boiling water, because this kind of processing will lead to the loss of most of the vitamins.

How to boil dried fruit compote: recipes

There are a lot of ways to prepare the fruit drink, so you can choose from a whole collection of recipes a few appropriate options without any problems. But before you get down to the practical task, it is necessary to understand what this third dish is. Regardless of the specifics of the individual recipes, there are two main methods of making compote.

1. The first option or the long method. Prepared dried fruits are put in boiling water, after which the mixture is boiled for another half an hour. Cooked according to this scheme, the drink turns out with a rich taste and color, because for a long cooking time, dried fruits give the liquid most of the useful substances and sweetness. Such a compote is very useful for baby food.
2. A quick way is to add the fruit component in cold water at the very beginning of the cooking process. Then the composition is only brought to a boil and immediately removed from the fire. After the drink is infused for several hours. This method has a significant advantage over the first option: the dried fruit is not boiled, and therefore retains more valuable components. However, this compote should not be given to young children.
3. As for the optimal portion of sugar. This product in general causes controversy among different experts. Some believe that sugar should be completely excluded from the menu, while others allow its presence in reasonable quantities. Therefore in this matter it is best to be guided by personal taste preferences. But as an alternative to sugar can be used as a natural sweetener honey. This should be added when the beverage has cooled a little.

Note: determining the dosage of sugar, do not forget that the dried fruits themselves have a high fructose content. Also to give the drink a nice sourness, you can add a little lemon juice: 2 tablespoons per 2 liters of liquid base. In addition to lemon juice, cinnamon and ginger are often added to dried fruit compote.

Now, as an example, here are a few variants of the drink, which enterprising housewives can apply to the daily practice of cooking tasty and healthy food.

A classic recipe

Ideally, for making a drink according to this recipe, it is better to have home-prepared fruit. But if you do not have them, you can buy in the store components from the following list:

• apricots - 50 g;
• apples - 200 gr;
• pears - 70 gr;
• prunes - 150 gr;
• sugar - to taste
• citric acid (or juice) - 2 gr.

All the rates are given for 3 liters of liquid base.

How to cook:

1. First, sort out and wash the dried fruits. If heavily soiled, you should soak them for some time in warm water, then rinse again.
2. In a saucepan with water put on the stove. When the liquid boils, send all the fruit components at the same time.
3. Keep the drink at boiling mode for another half hour on low heat.
4. Add citric acid and sugar at the end of boiling.

A classic variant without sugar

Also a very useful recipe, especially for those who have to limit their sugar intake. But thanks to the combination of sweet kinds of dried fruit, the lack of this product in the drink will not be felt. A three-liter pot will require the following fruit set:

• quince - 200 g;
• bananas - 200 gr;
• dried apricots - 200 gr.

All the listed fruit components are used in this case in dried form.

Step-by-step preparation process:

1. The first thing to pour boiling water on apricots and keep them in this state for 20 minutes.
2. At this time, put a pot with water on the fire, while it boils, prepare the rest of the fruit.
3. Then, put all the ingredients in the boiling water. Cook on low heat for a third of an hour.
4. When the dried fruits swell and become soft, take the ready compote off the stove. The taste of the drink made according to this recipe will become more intense when it cools completely.

For the baby

Vitamin drinks should be given to babies from the age of three months. Of course, all mothers try to use fresh fruit of excellent quality. But when these products are not at hand, you can use dried fruit. This option is especially relevant in the winter season. For young children, the compote should be cooked only from one kind of fruit, mixtures at an early age should not be used. If this is the first complementary food, it is better to start with dried apples.

Preparation process:

1. Soak the fruit in warm water. Then rinse thoroughly.
2. Boil for at least 30 minutes, but the base can simply pour boiling water in a thermos, and then insist the drink for two hours. In the compote for infants sugar is not added.

The first portion should be minimal - 1-2 tbsp. If the child tolerates the new product well, the amount can be gradually increased. Babies under one year old should not make a rich compote, so to make a drink you need only a few slices of dried apple. If the drink will be concentrated, it should be diluted with boiled water.

With pumpkin and dried fruits

This option is great for the diet of children of preschool age. At first glance, the composition of the drink may seem unusual because of the presence of pumpkin. But it is this product that gives the compote a pleasant mild taste.

Set of products:

• mixture of any varieties of dried fruits - 200 g;
• dried rosehips - 50 g;
• pumpkin - 1 fruit;
• sugar - to taste;
• cinnamon - a stick.

Portions of all components are given for 1.5 liters of water.

Method of preparation:

1. As in the previous recipes, first soak dried fruits for a few minutes in hot water, then rinse well.
2. Pumpkin requires special attention: first of all, remove the skin, remove the seeds, and then cut the pulp into cubes.
3. Then put a saucepan with water on the fire. When the liquid boils, pour the rosehip and cook it for a quarter of an hour.
4. After that, you can add pumpkin, the rest of the dried fruits and cinnamon.
5. Boil the compote until fully cooked for another 20 minutes. When the dried fruits swell, add sugar to taste and keep the compote on the fire for another 5 minutes.

The drink turns out extremely fragrant and delicious. Therefore, caring hostesses should spend a little time on its preparation. The housemates will be delighted with such an addition to the diet.

In a multicooker

Thanks to the advent of smart devices, hostesses now have the opportunity to save time on cooking. Traditional compote can also be prepared not in a regular pot on the stove, but in a multicooker, which will greatly simplify the whole process. It is necessary to select the option "Soup" or "Stew".

A set of the following ingredients will be required:

• prunes and cherries (without bone) - 50 g each;
• dried apricots - 70 gr;
• dried apples - 100 gr;
• pears - 70 gr;
• sugar - as needed.

Step by step cooking process:

1. First process and rinse all dried fruits.
2. If you use frozen cherries, take the berries out of the freezer beforehand, so that they thaw. Then be sure to remove all pips.
3. Pour water into the bowl of the device and bring it to a boil in the mode "Baking".
4. Then put all the fruit, except cherries.
5. After boiling again, switch the multicooker to "Stew" mode. Boil the compote for about half an hour.
6. At the end of this time, add sugar and cherries together with the syrup.
7. Stir the drink well, simmer for another 15 minutes.
8. Then put the device on the heating mode. In this state, keep the drink for an hour.
9. When the compote has cooled, it can be served with baked goods.

A refreshing drink

And this recipe is ideal for the hot season. With the help of a multicooker, the time spent on preparing a refreshing drink will be reduced to a minimum.

Necessary components for the compote:

• Any fruit mixture - 800 grams;
• water - to be poured into a bowl to the maximum mark;
• sugar - 100 gr;
• ice cubes.

Stages of preparation:

1. First, in the container of the device put the prepared dried fruits.
2. Then add sugar. Pour the base with the necessary volume of water.
3. Cook the vitamin broth in the "Drinks" mode for exactly one hour at a pressure of - 3.
4. When you hear a beep, release the pressure.
5. Allow the drink to infuse for a while.
6. Pour the compote into glasses with berries and fruit slices.
7. Add an ice cube or two to each glass before serving.

Note: Alternatively, you can separate the fruit and serve it as a dessert.

Compote from dried figs and fresh apples

This recipe can rightfully be considered the best example of the perfect combination of dried fruit and fresh fruit. Since apples are available all year round, this cooking option can help the housewife at any time. Dried figs are packed with nutrients, and their amazing flavor, combined with cinnamon, gives the drink a noble touch. Instead of sugar, honey is used, so the body will receive double benefit from such a drink.

Ingredients:

• apples - 300 g;
• figs - 150 g;
• lemon - 10 gr;
• cinnamon;
• honey - to taste;
• lemon juice.

How to cook:

1. For this recipe, apples of sour-sweet varieties are more suitable. Cut each fruit in half, remove the core.
2. Put the fruit in a saucepan, pour water (3-4 liters).
3. Add the rinsed figs to the apples.
4. On a high heat bring the composition to a boil, and then turn down the flame to minimum.
5. With the lid closed, simmer the drink for about 45 minutes. The longer the compote cooks, the richer the taste of the final product.
6. At the end of cooking add cinnamon, then remove the pot from the stove.
7. Strain the compote, and when it has cooled, add honey and lemon juice.
8. Pour the cooled compote into a jug, and put a few slices of fresh lemon on top. In hot weather, you can cool the drink in the refrigerator.

Honey compote with dried fruit

Honey always wins in comparison with sugar. And the advantages of this product of beekeeping are traceable on all fronts: taste and degree of usefulness. After all, honey drink is considered the best prophylactic against colds and viral infections.

To prepare it, you need to take the following ingredients:

• apples - 230 g;
• raisins (pitted) - 50 g;
• prunes - 60 gr;
• cherry - 180 gr;
• pears - 120 gr;
• honey - 150 g.

All these proportions are calculated for 2.5 liters of water.

When all the products are ready, you can proceed to the preparation of the compote:

1. First, clean the dried fruits from foreign debris, soak them in water for an hour.
2. Put the water on the fire, when it boils, send there apples and pears.
3. After half an hour, pour the prunes and boil the compote for another 10 minutes.
4. Next in line are cherries, after another 5 minutes send the last ingredient - raisins - to the boiling mixture.
5. In its entire composition, simmer the drink on low heat for 10 minutes.
6. Add honey to the ready hot drink.
7. Before using, allow to infuse. To do this, wrap the container with a blanket and leave for 10 hours.
8. Before using the broth to strain, although this is optional.

Danish drink

Although this variant does not quite meet the definition of "compote", but adult lovers of fruit cocktails will definitely like it. It was invented by the Danes, hence the geographical name.

The list of necessary ingredients includes:

• apricots, but you can take golden raisins - 250 g;
• cinnamon - 1 stick;
• brandy - 0.5 l;
• sugar - 100 gr;
• water - a glass.

Method for the preparation of low-alcoholic compote:

1. In a container of suitable volume, pour sugar, add cinnamon, and then pour the specified amount of water.
2. Put the pot on medium heat, when the water begins to boil, add dried apricots. The resulting composition to boil for another 10 minutes.
3. Ready compote with boiled apricots (raisins) pour into a container of glass. When the drink cools, close the jar with a tight lid, and then put it in the fridge for two days.
4. Then add brandy to the compote. The drink with apricots should insist for exactly six weeks. During this time, the two different liquid fractions will combine, and the result will be a light drink with an original fruity taste.
5. This compote can be served with desserts or drunk to quench thirst.

Original recipe with raisins

Although raisins are present in many recipes for preparing the drink, this variant differs in some specific features, thanks to which the compote turns out with a rich and slightly sweet taste.

The main ingredients:

• Dried fruits: apples, prunes and pears - 100 g each;
• raisins - a pinch;
• apricots - 70 gr.

Cooking sequence:

1. To direct the culinary process in a rational way, immediately fill the pot with water (3 liters) and put it on the stove.
2. While the liquid base will be brought to a boil, engage in the preparation of dried fruit: all components should be thoroughly cleaned of debris and dust, also remove spoiled fragments.
3. When the water boils, send apples and pears and apricots to boil first. Boil them for a quarter of an hour in boiling water.
4. Then pour raisins and prunes into the pot. Keep the compote on the stove for another 15 minutes.
5. For the drink to get a rich taste and hue, let it stand at room temperature until it cools down.
6. The fruit decoction obtained by this recipe is better to drink in chilled form.

On a side note: If there are sweet eaters in the family, who do not like the lack of sugar, you can add a small portion of this component in the finished drink.

Fast way to make compote

This is one of the variants of the monorecept, because as a basic product of cooking in this case takes the only kind of dried fruit - prunes. Need 800 grams of dried fruits of excellent quality. They need to be sorted, washed with warm water, put in a saucepan.

Further actions:

1. Boil 2 liters of water in a regular kettle. Pour boiling water over the fruit.
2. Let the resulting composition to infuse for a day.
3. Drain the prepared infusion, and place the prunes in sockets, sprinkling sugar on top.
4. The result is a full-fledged vitamin dinner of two dishes: a fruit dessert and a delicious drink.

This recipe is especially useful for people with weakened immune system. After all, prunes are the leader in terms of vitamins and vital minerals.

Compote with spices

This recipe is very popular, which is not surprising. Spending a little more time than it takes to make compote according to the classic recipe, a patient hostess will get both a sweet fruit dessert and a vitamin drink.

List of ingredients:

• dried fruit mixture (any combination) - 250 g;
• raisins - 60 g;
• sugar - 40-50 gr;
• Cinnamon and bay leaf - 2 units.

Algorithm of culinary actions:

1. After primary processing, finely chop all the fruit.
2. Boil 2 liters of water in a saucepan and at the same time send all the dried fruits to the boiling liquid. Add the bay leaves and cinnamon.
3. Cook the whole compote for 10 minutes over medium heat.
4. Add the raisins last, then let the drink cook for another 5 minutes.
5. Without taking off the heat of the broth, using a slotted spoon, remove the fruit and put them on a plate.
6. Boil the kompot for another 5 minutes, and before removing from the stove, add the appropriate amount of sugar.
7. When the drink has cooled, serve with the fruit, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

There are many ancient and modern recipes for making the drink from dried fruit. Each version has its own characteristics, so the compote is considered a unique drink.

To conclude the review of popular recipes for making compote from dried fruit, we would like to offer a few useful tips:

1. Darkened edges of apples and pears, which often happens when drying in the oven, should be cut off before making compote.
2. Even slightly spoiled dried fruit should not be used, it is better to throw them away.
3. In cloudy weather or in winter, when there is no desire to drink soft drinks, you can prepare a concentrated compote, and before drinking it dilute it with boiling water.

Compote is a very healthy and delicious drink. According to any of the recommended recipes here it can be prepared quickly and without much effort. And, in addition to the drink itself, it is nice to eat soft dried fruit. Such a treat is adored not only by children, but also by many adults. Each time, changing the composition of the composition, you can prepare a compote with a new, unique taste.

Photo of dried fruit compote