I have a lovely memory of eating berry compote at our friend’s house after landing in Vancouver in 1999. The luscious, thick, chunky and intensely fruity dish looked very appealing for someone who had never had berry compote before. It was served on a stack of fluffy pancakes and was a feast for my eyes. Not only did the whole combo look gorgeous but also defined the beginning of new tastes and flavors for me. It’s not that I had never seen berries but we just never made anything quite like that in India. Every time I reminisce I always remember how yummy it was.
A compote is a mixture of stewed fruit (whole or cut into pieces) in syrup. Originally eaten as a dessert, a compote makes a delicious start to the day either eaten alone or as the perfect pairing for porridge, pancakes, waffles or yogurt. It comes together in 15 minutes and can be made with any fruit. There are a lot of different ways to make fruit compote. Some recipes I’ve come across say to add cornstarch, lemon juice , spices and a lot of sugar. Since my family and many of you are trying to eat a bit leaner, healthier and cutting down on foods with added sugar, I keep my compote simple and completely refined sugar and artificial sweetener free.
September 4th, 2021
I recently made a layered dessert using berry compote and thought to update my readers about this super easy and fun recipe which can be a great snack for kids. Click on the image to see the video.
I like to make compote with a combination of fresh fruits and berries. If you don’t have access to fresh berries, frozen ones will work just fine. And the combination is really up to you. For this recipe I used pear, black berries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. It has a wonderful balance of sweet and tart as well as a lovely texture. Ripe berries won’t need any sugar but raspberries are kind of tart sometimes. Although pear give enough sweetness but if it is not enough for your sweet tooth, add a tad bit of honey or coconut palm sugar or replace pear with mango, to cut through the tartness. Mango is such a sweet fruit. I often make quick mango chutney in summer using ripe mango, with no sugar.
Do you know chia seeds make a good thickener, besides being a powerhouse of omega 3 fatty acids? I often add ground chia. to my smoothies, morning cereal and fruit compote to achieve a thicker consistency and for extra nutritional boost. Some preliminary research done in Harvard Medical school indicates that chia seeds ‘could’ help people with diabetes control their blood sugar and protect their hearts. However, research is still ongoing to help determine the effects of fatty acids found in chia seeds on blood sugar levels. But since chia seeds are packed with fiber and heart-healthy fats, they may help improve the heart health of people with diabetes.
I highly recommend you should make this compote because it is extremely versatile and refreshing seasonal dessert that is low in calories and full of nutrition.
August 16, 2021
Want to see how I made this?
I’ve uploaded the video on my YouTube Channel. I hope you can check it out. While you’re there, maybe you’d see some other recipe videos that you’d like. If you do, please don’t forget to like and share with your friends and family. Hope to see you there.
An extremely versatile and refreshing dish that is low in calories and full of nutrition.
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced strawberries
- 3 cups raspberries
- 3 cups blueberries
- 8-10 black berries
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract or any other flavor
- 1 pear (about 1 cup), grated with a fine grater (or diced mango)
- 3-4 tsp ground chia seeds
- sweetener (optional, mine doesn't have any)
- Video posted on you tube here.
Instructions
- Place berries, chia seeds and grated pear or mango in a small saucepan on medium heat. Reserve one cup of blueberries and raspberries for later.
- Add water and heat over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes. The heat will start to soften and break down the berries
- Add the reserved blueberries and let soften for 5 minutes but they will still hold their shape.
- Add the reserved raspberries & vanilla, stir and remove the saucepan from heat.
- Give the compote a taste, (add sweetener if using)..
- The compote will thicken as it cools.
- Once it's cool, store compote in a tightly sealed jar and keep refrigerated for up to two months.
Notes
I like keeping some berries out and adding them at the end so it shows what's in it.
Monica
Before I scrolled to the end, I was thinking this is great for pancakes! A fruit compote always sounds so fancy to me and it looks amazing. I love the different uses for it. I finally made refrigerator jam this past week – maybe compote is next! Looks great.
kushi
Lovely color and beautiful post. Going to try this compote weekend!
Shubha
A wonderful compote recipe.. You can even even use it in a dessert.. place a slice of pound cake, add a dollop of ice cream and top it with this delicious compote…as u rightly said … its totally versatile:)
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Your compote looks fab. I love the fact that it’s free of sugar.
Juliana
Great recipe Balvinder…I love this compote…especially that there is not sugar in it…and yes, very handy to have it in the refrigerator.
Thanks for the recipe…have a nice week 🙂
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
Love mixed berry compote!! Great recipe and I could pour this over everything 🙂
Blackswan
Oh yummy, yummy! The colours are enough to drive me wild, my friend! xoxo
Katerina
We make many compotes here in Greece with all sorts of fruits! Yours looks delicious!
Jolly
Gorgeous color and beautiful post..compotes looks yummy, loved it 🙂
Niloofa
I was sooo happy to know the recipes is on the blog dear Balvinder.you’re just awesome.
Love the color of the berry compote and drooling over shared pics of compote.👌👌😋.
I am going make some and store in refrigerator so it may useful for me during Ramadan to serve at dawn meal (shoor) or at Ifthar as you have mentioned with porridge or Pancakes .my kids are going to love it. Big bunch of Thanks for the delightful recipe ❤.
* for how many days I can store in the refrigerator.
Balvinder
I am so glad you love it and thinking to make it 🙂 When you said you don’t know how to make fruit compote I decided to post, especially for you.
It stays good for 2 weeks just reheat when serving.
P.S. Niloofa, we don’t add any sugar in fruit compote not even in porridge, yogurt or pancakes but you can sweeten it for your kids 🙂
Adina
I love compote, I make it often with different berries or fruit and it is great to find a recipe without sugar!
Treat and Trick
What a wonderful combo! I love this sugar free compote..
Barbara
Yum on your compote….would love it on my oatmeal! Great color and super you managed without sugar!
Shumaila
Compotes are a great way to preserve the goodness of berries and fruits in season, and they do elevate your breakfast and desserts to a new level. Love that you dont use the copious amount of sugar some compotes carry. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Its amazing something so simple as a compote define and direct you to newer culinary beginnings.
Andriena
Having a devonshire tea birthday celebration coming up. A guest has intolences and needs gluten, sugar and dairy free foods. I have just made your gorgeous compote, problem solved, Thank you.
Balvinder
I am glad I was of help 🙂
Deborah
Peaches and raspberries are a nice way to enjoy BC fresh delicious fruits in the summer around July and August.
My breakfast I created was enjoyed as I ate alone. It was delicious so I am grateful.
My children I adore,
oh how I wish they were here knocking on my door.
Poetry by Deborah,
mother to 💞 Kira, awesome son and my other children.
Balvinder
Agree! Love summer In BC because of the abundance of fresh fruits. Nice poetry!
Enjoy your evening!
JuLee
Love this. I have been missing a product that was available at grocery a few years back – a fruit compote that came ready made and was low sugar and delicious on oatmeal in place of sugar. So happy I found your recipe. Made it tonight with cherries, blueberries, pear and plum – that’s what I had on hand. I threw in a cinnamon stick and some cardamom. Delicious and can’t wait for breakfast.
Balvinder
That’s wonderful, Julee. Love the addition of cinnamon! You can also check my naturally sweetened fudge sauce which my daughter loves to add in oatmeal.