Blueberry Compote Recipe - Shane & Simple (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken berry compote without cornstarch? ›

You can thicken up your berry compote by simmering it for longer to reduce it further. Alternatively, add a little cornstarch to the mixture. To do this, create a cornstarch slurry with cornstarch and water before adding it to the berry sauce in the pan. Stir constantly while the sauce thickens.

Compote (or compôte) is French for “mixture.” It is basically a sweet, chunky fruit sauce made with whole or chopped fresh or frozen fruit and sugar. The fruit and sugar are typically cooked on the stovetop for a brief time until the fruit has softened and collapsed into a delicious fruit sauce.

It tastes so good that you could eat it with a spoon, but it's really meant to be used as a topping. Drizzle it over pancakes, oatmeal, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious pop of bright berry flavor.

Combine fruit, sugar, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Optional: Add cornstarch mixture to saucepan. Continue to boil until the berries break down and the compote has thickened to desired consistency, or about 2 to 3 minutes.

Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish. You'll need to use twice as much as you would with cornstarch.

There are two ways to thicken the compote – lemon peel contains pectin, which is a natural thickener. Alternatively, you can use a cornstarch slurry if a fresh lemon isn't available. Warning though – use just a small amount of thickener – we're not making jam!

Sugar – This recipe uses a little granulated sugar in it, but feel free to adjust the sugar to suit your taste. Cornstarch – Just a little bit of cornstarch to thicken the compote.

Key Differences

Coulis can be made by pureeing fruits or vegetables, whereas compote is prepared by cooking down fruits until soft. Coulis is basically a fruit in pureed form, but compote has additional ingredients like spices and dried fruits, which lend a complex flavor.

What is a fun fact about fruit compote? ›

The dish was originally served by itself in 17th century France as a dessert item. Interestingly enough, the dessert was originally created for its supposed health benefits. The idea was that this dessert, or fruits cooked in any syrup, balanced out the effects of humidity in the body.

Opies Summer Berry Compote360g

Intensely fruity and full of sweet possibilities, this is an adored staple in any discerning kitchen.

This easy blueberry compote recipe has infinite applications. Stir it into Greek yogurt with a handful of granola, or spoon it onto crepes, French toast, or waffles. Serve fruit compote alongside a pound cake or cheesecake, or swirl it into vanilla ice cream.

Remove from heat and transfer to a clean jar or container to cool thoroughly. Store in the fridge up to 1 week or freeze in ice cube molds up to 1 month.

Compotes are all-purpose serving dishes. These usually footed bowls -- with or without lids or covers -- held special desserts, fruits, candies or sauces, jellies and other foods. Blown or pressed glass compotes provided a culinary presentation method suitable to 19th-century middle-class households.

There are two ways to thicken the compote – lemon peel contains pectin, which is a natural thickener. Alternatively, you can use a cornstarch slurry if a fresh lemon isn't available. Warning though – use just a small amount of thickener – we're not making jam!

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

Thickening a berry compote without cornstarch: cook your compote for 3-4 minutes more on medium-high temperature, stirring frequently. Just remember 2 things: A compote is not as thick as jam; And this blueberry compote will thicken a bit more once it's cooled.