Easy Homemade Peach Compote

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The word 'compote' sounds fancy and somewhat complicated. While fruit compote can be fancy, it is anything but complicated!

In the simplest of terms, fruit compote is fruit, sugar, a squeeze of lemon, and a little water. Then cooked on the stove, slightly mashed so that large chunks of fruit remain. Yep, that is all there is to making compote!

This particular recipe is for peach compote. However, compote is very flexible and you can substitute any fruit at a 1:1 ratio.

Any type of peach can be used when making this compote. I prefer frozen peaches because they are already peeled sliced and ready to go. In fact, frozen peaches can just be tossed into the saucepan. No defrosting is necessary!

You can also use canned or fresh peaches. Here is what you need to know for each:

• Canned peaches: drain all the liquid and follow the recipe as normal.
• Fresh peaches: peeling is optional. If you are pealing, do that first. Then remove the pit and cut the peaches into chunks. From there the process is the same.

Compote is similar to jelly or jam and eaten in the same way. Most people use compote as a topping, mix in or spread. Some of my favorite ways to enjoy compote include:

• Ice cream/ Nice cream
• Sorbet
• Smoothies
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Toast
• Waffles
• Cream cheese
• Cheesecake
• Cake
• Pudding
• Pancakes
• Grilled cheese

Sugars: One of the great things about compote is that just about any sweetener or sugar can be used. For me, the sugar I use often depends on what I have in my house or my mood. For example, in the winter I like the warm cozy feeling that maple syrup or dark brown sugar adds. However, in the summer I like the sweetness of white sugar.

Here are a few sweetener variations that I recommend:

• Maple Syrup
• Honey

• Brown Sugar
• Blue Agave

• Raw Sugar
• White Sugar

Flavors: I wrote this recipe as a basic peach compote. However, you might want to add in different flavors. Here are a few suggestions:

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Mint

• Jalapeno
• Habanero
• Chipotle
• Balsamic

• Bourbon
• Whiskey
• Rose Water
• Salted Caramel

Mixed Fruit Combinations: Peach compote is an excellent way to extend the life of fresh fruit. I sometimes make compote out of whatever fruit I have in my home that is about to go bad. In those instances, I have come up with some interesting combinations. Here are some of my favorite peach combinations:

• Raspberry
• Strawberry
• Mango

• Apple
• Blueberry
• Blackberry

They are very similar, in fact, I would say close cousins. Compote is a simple fruit sauce with chunks of fruit in the sauce. Jam on the other hand is cooked down into a spreadable form.

Fruit preserve or stewed fruit are often used when referring to the compote.

Cornstarch is the perfect thickener. Mix equal parts corn starch and water first, and then add to the compote. I would start with a tablespoon or less, as a little cornstarch goes a long way.

• Refrigerator - Compote can last up to two weeks in a air-tight container. Mason jars make great storage. I recommend using reusable lids with mason jars. If you do not have any, you can get there here.
• Frozen - Allow the compote to fully cool. Then place in an air tight container or freezer storage bag. You can store this way for up to three months.
• Canned - Compote does not can well. Therefore I do not recommend canning compote.