Name: Apple Compote
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 12 medium tart apples, peeled, cored and chopped; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup lemon juice

Picked a peck of apples this fall? Try this easy apple compote recipe. A spoonful of the spiced treat complements sweet and savory dishes alike.

Ingredients

2 cups water

12 medium tart apples, peeled, cored and chopped

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup lemon juice

Instructions

1 Combine the ingredients

2 Place the water in a stock pot over medium heat and bring it to a simmer. Add the peeled, cored and chopped apples, the brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt. Stir to combine everything.

3 Cook the apples

4 Simmer the apple mix, uncovered, over medium-low heat for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the apples are soft. Stir occasionally. Editor's Tip: Stirring occasionally helps the flavors combine well and prevents the bottom of the pot from burning.

5 Add the lemon juice

6 Stir in the lemon juice. Cook again until the compote is slightly thickened, about two to three minutes longer. Editor's Tip: Adding the lemon at the end preserves its bright, zippy flavor.

7 Cool the apple compote

8 Remove the pot from the heat and allow the compote to cool completely. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools.