Compote of fresh dried apricots and raisins. A very healthy compote of raisins and dried apricots. Recipes for compote from dried apricots in a pan

Fruit lovers enjoy them all summer and early autumn, when gardens, markets and store shelves are bursting with bright, juicy fruits. Take it and eat it, cook compotes, bake it in pies. The most prudent gourmets store preserved fruit for the winter and then savor it little by little, remembering the summer abundance. But there is another way to preserve fruits for a long time - dry them. Of course, they will no longer be juicy, as fresh, and tender, as in cooked compotes and jams. But they will be no less tasty and even sweeter. And what’s even nicer is that you can cook compote from them at any time. We all remember apple and pear compote made from dried fruits well from our school years and, most likely, it will not arouse much gastronomic enthusiasm. Therefore, we invite you to cook dried apricot compote: tasty and aromatic halves of dried apricots.

Benefits and other features of dried fruit compote
Everyone knows about the unconditional benefits of fresh fruits and berries, but dried fruits cause conflicting reviews. Sometimes they are even called healthy candies - not without reason. Dried fruits are really very sweet, much sweeter than their juicy “prototypes”. You can even say that dried apricots are concentrated apricots, reduced several times. Therefore, everything that is in apricot is also in dried apricots - with the exception of water. It fills the fresh fruit, gives it smoothness, elasticity and size (the volume of moisture in different fruits and vegetables is up to 95%). Without it, the fruit shrinks, wrinkles and turns into apricots or dried apricots. By the way, the difference between these two products lies in the form: whole apricots with pits are called apricots, and dried apricots are halves of the fruit separated from each other and pitted. “Dehydrated” apricots lose not only in size, but also in weight: a kilogram of fresh fruit yields no more than 200 grams of dried fruit.

Like fresh fruits, dried fruits contain a lot of vitamins and microelements, pectin and plant fibers. The most important of them: B vitamins, potassium, iron, carotene, several organic acids. Of course, dried apricots also contain a lot of carbohydrates, which is what makes them so sweet. These are fructose, sucrose, glucose and other natural sugars. Together with a small amount of protein and a very small amount of fat, these substances make up the energy value of dried apricots: 250 kcal/100 grams. After heat treatment, some of the beneficial substances are lost, and the amount retained is inversely proportional to the cooking time of the compote. But only on condition that the ingredient used is high-quality dried apricots, prepared naturally without the use of aggressive chemical catalysts, preservatives and flavor enhancers. To guarantee this, you need to be able to choose the right dried apricots for compote, dessert and any other purposes.

Using classic, safe technology, apricots are sorted, washed, and peeled from stems and pits. The prepared fruits are laid out in one layer on well-ventilated areas exposed to the sun (often on the roofs of houses) and left for 7-8 days. During this time, the moisture evaporates and the dried apricots are obtained: brown-orange in color, with darker areas in those places where water got in during drying. Such dried apricots are produced in Turkey and California. But in our stores, along with it, you can find a completely different dried apricot: more beautiful and appetizing in appearance thanks to its bright orange color and moist shine. To make such dried apricots, apricots are treated with sulfur dioxide before drying. This chemical does not affect the taste of the final product, but it accumulates in the human body and provokes allergies, asthma and other pulmonary diseases. Therefore, do not be tempted by the attractive appearance of light dried apricots - always give preference to dark and less beautiful ones. Especially if you are going to cook dried apricot compote for a child.

How to cook delicious dried apricot compote
The relevance of dried apricot compote usually increases with the approach of spring, when winter supplies of fruit come to an end, and the need for vitamins grows every day. And dried apricots contain vitamins and minerals to support weakening immunity, as well as vision and heart muscle. However, you can make compote from it at any time of the year; fortunately, it is always available in stores. But before you start cooking, even dried fruits purchased from a trusted place should be rinsed with running water and then soaked for 25 minutes in boiled water warmer than room temperature. Only after this can dried apricots be used to prepare compote according to any of the recipes you like:

Sweet compote of dried apricots. Take 1 cup of dried apricots, 2 liters of drinking water, 3 tablespoons of sugar and juice from half a lemon. Soak and squeeze the dried apricots. Pour water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add dried fruits and sugar, stir and bring to a boil again. Cook over low heat, covered, for 10 minutes. Then remove from heat, add freshly squeezed lemon juice, cover with a towel and leave for half an hour. Sugar can be replaced with honey, but it can only be added to compote that is ready and cooled to room temperature.
Compote of dried apricots without sugar. You will need the same ingredients as in the first recipe, except for the juice and sweetener. To make the compote tasty without them, increase the amount of dried fruits to one and a half glasses, maintaining the same volume of water. Boil water and add prepared dried apricots. After boiling again, turn down the heat to low and cook the compote for 10-15 minutes under the lid. After this, turn off the gas and cover the pan with a large towel and leave on the stove for at least another half hour. This compote is usually prepared for children and people with sensitive digestive systems, so choose dried apricots for it especially carefully.
Compote of dried apricots and prunes. For 2 liters of water, take half a glass of dried apricots and prunes. It is better to choose dried plums that are pitted and not smoked. Sugar or honey in the compote is optional, depending on your taste. Dried apricots need to be washed and soaked for 15 minutes, but prunes do not need this, but if they are too dry, then this procedure will not harm them either. Meanwhile, bring the water to a boil and add the prepared dried fruits. After boiling again, reduce the heat and note the time. Under the lid, the compote will cook for no longer than 10 minutes. After this, you need to let it brew a little more under the lid. Add sugar at the end of cooking, honey before serving, when the compote has cooled slightly. Compote from dried apricots and prunes turns out to be more aromatic than from one type of dried fruit, and has the slight property of enhancing intestinal motility. It can be used as a mild natural laxative.
Compote of dried apricots and apples. The special thing about this recipe is that it combines fresh and dried fruits. This is not at all difficult to implement, because apples are stored and sold without problems until mid-spring. For testing, it is enough to take two liters of water, a couple of large apples of any variety and half a glass of dried apricots. Rinse dried fruits and soak in warm water for a quarter of an hour. Wash the apples too, remove the stems and cores and cut them, along with the skin, into slices or cubes. Place the apples in a saucepan, add water and bring to a boil. After this, add dried apricots and cook over low heat for 10 minutes from the moment they boil again. Add the sugar and stir before turning off the gas under the compote pan. Then wrap it in a towel and do not touch it for at least another half hour. During this time, the compote will infuse and become very fragrant.
Spicy compote of dried apricots and raisins. Few children will like this drink, but adults will certainly enjoy it and become a non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine. Try preparing it with 2 liters of water, half a glass of dried apricots and a full handful of raisins. It doesn’t matter what type of raisins are - choose them according to your taste, but keep in mind that their color will affect the color of the compote. In addition to dried fruits, you will need a few cloves, a bag of vanilla sugar and a pinch of cardamom. Soak dried apricots and raisins in warm water (together or separately) for 15 minutes. During this time, bring water to a boil and add dried fruits to it. Wait until it boils again, cover and simmer over low heat for no longer than 7 minutes. After this, add vanilla sugar and spices to the compote, stir and bring to readiness in about 3 minutes. To make the compote more aromatic and richer, leave it covered without heat for 30-60 minutes. Before serving, you can sweeten it further with honey or add a slice of lemon. The quantity and set of spices is also not prohibited from changing at will.

There is another recipe for those who have absolutely no time: young mothers, busy careerists and simply active people. A quick compote of dried apricots doesn’t even need to be cooked, just put the prepared dried fruits in a thermos and pour boiling water over it. If you do this in the evening before going to bed, then by morning you will have a real and very tasty dried apricot compote ready.

Having studied these recipes, it is not difficult to notice the main patterns. Firstly, dried fruits should only be placed in boiling water, not cold water. Secondly, sugar and honey are completely optional ingredients, and their quantity depends solely on your love for sweets. Finally, healthy dried fruits are by no means distinguished by their ideal shape and bright color, but the most inconspicuous dried apricots turn out to be, as a rule, the most delicious and safe. So cook dried apricot compote more often so that you can drink it for your health all year round!

If you pour boiling water into a glass, put a little dried apricots in it and hold the product under the lid for several minutes, you can say that the dried fruit compote is ready. Of course, mostly modern housewives use more complex and effective recipes, but in any case, the basis is soaking the main component in hot water or syrup. If you additionally cook the mass, its taste and aroma will be more intense, although the finished product will lose a little in its benefits. To get the perfect drink, you will have to additionally learn a few rules and master a couple of useful skills.

Features of the preparatory stage

First of all, the success of the event depends on the correct choice of dried apricots. Contrary to popular belief, juicy-looking, plump, literally shiny specimens are absolutely not suitable for this purpose. The fact is that they are brought to this state through artificial drying and special processing. They look very appetizing, but taste more like candy than healthy dried fruit. For compote, it is better to use products that are slightly substandard in appearance, dry to the touch and not too juicy in taste. The main requirement is that they must be dried exclusively in a natural way.

Tip: The drink made from dried apricots is recommended to be consumed within 12 hours after its preparation. After the specified time, it completely loses its original benefits and turns into just a tasty drink. No preservatives, sugar or sterilization will protect against this.

After purchasing dried apricots of the required quality and before using them directly as the main component of a healthy drink, you need to carry out certain processing of the products. Usually, simply scalding the product with boiling water is sufficient. If the aroma emanating from dried fruits has not intensified, it is recommended to soak them in boiling water for 15 minutes or blanch them 2-3 times for 5 minutes. In cases where this does not help, the components need to be cut into 2-4 parts and repeat the use of boiling water.

Popular recipes for dried apricot compote

After the main component has been brought to the desired state, you need to start preparing the compote. For this purpose, you can use the following recipe:

Classic compote. For 300 g of dried apricots, take 2.5 liters of water and sugar to taste. If they have not yet been chopped, cut the dried fruits into halves and place them in a saucepan. Fill them with water, add sugar and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and cover with a lid. The composition should be cooked for no more than 6-7 minutes. After this, cool the drink and serve.

Compote with raisins. We will need a glass of dried apricots and raisins, 2.5 liters of water and sugar to taste. Raisins need to be soaked in the same way as dried apricots. Place dried fruits in a cooking container, add sugar, leave for half an hour, then add water and put on fire. After boiling, the composition should be cooked for only 5 minutes, you can even do it without a lid. Then it is recommended to leave it covered for a quarter of an hour and serve.

Tip: If desired, the drink can be brewed in a slow cooker. For this purpose, it is best to use the “Stew” or “Multi-cook” mode. The preparation time for the drink should not exceed 10 minutes. It’s better to let it sit for another 10-15 minutes rather than overcook it.

Compote with prunes. For a glass of dried apricots, take half a glass of prunes, 2.5 liters of water and a little sugar. We wash the prunes and soak them in hot water. Mix all the ingredients in a cooking container and put on fire. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook covered over low heat for 6-7 minutes. If the prunes are very dense, the processing time can be increased to 10 minutes.

Compote with apples. For a glass of dried apricots, take one large sweet apple, 2.5 liters of water and sugar to taste. Cut the apple into small cubes, cut the dried apricots into 4 parts. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, add water and bring to a boil. You can cook the mixture for 2 minutes, but the taste will be more intense if you leave it for 5-6 minutes. Remove the finished product from the stove, stir, cover with a lid and wait until it cools completely.

Ginger compote with dried apricots. For 200 g of dried apricots we will need 100 g of candied ginger, 2.5 liters of water, a little cinnamon and sugar to taste. Chop the ginger into thin strips, cut the dried apricots into halves. Place the ingredients, except cinnamon, into a cooking container, add water, leave for 10 minutes, then put on fire. After the mixture boils, add cinnamon, reduce the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Cook the mixture for no more than 10 minutes, best served hot.

Compote of dried apricots and frozen cherries. We will need a glass of dried fruit, half a glass of frozen cherries, a little sugar, 2.5 liters of water and the zest of one lemon. In a cooking container, mix sugar, zest and dried apricots, leave for 10 minutes. Then pour boiling water, put on fire and cook under the lid at medium boil for 5 minutes. Then we add cherries to the mass, and it is not necessary to defrost them first. After the product boils again, cook it for another 5 minutes, leave, cool and serve. This drink is best drunk cold, with ice cubes.

It is not recommended to strain compotes made from dried fruits. The pulp suspended in the liquid contains many useful components and enhances the taste of the drink. It does not spoil its appearance or texture at all, it only gives it additional nutrition and thickness.

The benefits of a drink like dried apricot compote are undeniable. Plus, it's a delicious drink, provided it's prepared correctly. There is a classic recipe and a lot of ideas for improving it; you can cook it on gas or a stove, or you can use a slow cooker. How to preserve the beneficial properties of dried fruit, how long to cook the compote?

The benefits and harms of dried apricots

Apricots - raw materials for dried apricots Dried apricots, as you know, are dried apricots that have retained a lot of beneficial substances for health during processing.

However, like most fruits, this dried fruit can bring both benefits and harm if consumed in large quantities. Each fruit contains:

Vitamin A, which ensures the normalization of the regenerative abilities of the epithelium and other tissues and slows down the aging process.
B vitamins, responsible for controlling energy metabolism, stabilizing blood sugar, and strengthening the nervous and digestive systems.
Nicotinic acid, which normalizes (accelerates) blood circulation and restores the body's metabolism.
Vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system, eliminate inflammatory processes, normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract.
Calcium and magnesium: 2 interacting microelements contribute to the normalization of hematopoiesis, tissue restoration, proper muscle contraction, and the conduction of nerve impulses.
Potassium, necessary for the function of the heart and blood vessels.
Iron is involved in energy metabolism and is a necessary element for those who suffer from anemia.

The dry fruit also contains phosphorus, copper, manganese and cobalt. If you look at the table of BJU content in products, then per 100 g of dried apricots there is:

Proteins - 5.2 g;
Carbohydrates - 61 g;
Fats - 0.3 g.

The calorie content of the product is approximately 240.8 kcal. That is, for those who decide to lose weight, this fruit will have to be excluded from the diet. However, some nutritionists suggest deceiving the body and reducing the feeling of hunger with the help of this sweetness: you need to suck on one slice of dried apricot for several minutes.

The diuretic property of dried fruit is another plus in losing weight. Excess water will gently and without consequences leave the body, relieving the person of swelling. For the same reasons, the product is recommended during pregnancy. At the same time, by removing potassium, calcium and other useful substances with waste products, dried apricots immediately restore their quantity in full.

Treats in moderate quantities help cleanse the intestines, removing waste and toxins. But if you eat more than 100 g of the product, you can, on the contrary, harm the body: dried apricots can greatly upset digestion. Dried fruit is contraindicated in case of exacerbation of pancreatitis, gastritis or ulcers.

Compote as part of the diet in schools and kindergartens

The likelihood of an allergic reaction to such a drink is minimal, so it is actively used in kindergartens and schools. The benefits of dried apricots for a growing body can hardly be overestimated. Dried fruit is especially good at helping to cope with vitamin deficiencies in winter and early spring. Dried apricots perfectly strengthen the immune system and are part of the prevention of colds. In addition, dried apricots improve the digestion process.

Even infants are prepared with a tasty and healthy drink, but not earlier than from the age of six months.

How to cook compote?

At home, standards for cooking compote have not been established, so you can deviate from the classic recipe, add new ingredients (compote of raisins and dried apricots, berries or fruits) or change the amount of sugar or dried fruits. However, the general principles of preparation cannot be ignored:

dry fruit must be without signs of spoilage;
dried fruits need to be washed and cut;
take care of the dishes in advance: sterilize the jars if homemade preparations are intended for long-term storage.

Do not be upset if the apricot halves are small and do not have a bright color. After all, natural shades, on the contrary, indicate the naturalness of the product. For example, for comparison: in the first photo the product is more attractive, but the second option will be useful.

Natural matte dried apricots Do not brew the drink for a long time, otherwise the beneficial properties will disappear. 5-7 minutes of cooking over low heat is enough. In some cases, no cooking is required at all: the dried fruits are poured with boiled syrup and rolled up.

How to cook in a slow cooker?

The recipe for compote from dried apricots in a slow cooker depends on the model of the “modernized pan”. Some devices have a “compote/drinks” function, while others require you to adapt to the available options. It is important to consider the volume of the bowl.

For preparation you need:

400 g dried apricots;
200 g granulated sugar (150 g sugar);
2 liters of water.

For the lucky owners of a device with a compote preparation function, all you need to do is turn on the corresponding button and wait for the cooking signal.

Some housewives pre-soak dried fruits in cold water, and then, after putting the ingredients in the slow cooker, select “stew” from the menu.

Let's look at the 4 best recipes.

Classic recipe for dried apricot compote

This is the easiest way to brew a drink from dried apricots. Required:

300 g dried fruit;
2.5 liters of water;
150−200 g granulated sugar (or to taste).

Place the washed apricot slices in a saucepan, cover with granulated sugar and add the required amount of water. Stir and bring to a boil, then simmer for 6-7 minutes over low heat.

Can be consumed both hot and cold.

Compote of dried apricots with raisins is even more useful, since dried grapes help strengthen the immune system, normalize digestion and blood formation.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

Dried fruits are taken in equal proportions, for example, 200 g, and soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
Then sprinkle with a small amount of granulated sugar.
Next, you need to fill the food with 2 liters of cold water.
Bring to a boil and cook for 4-5 minutes.

Allow the drink to cool and enjoy the unique taste. You can also check it out.
Compote of dried apricots with raisins Using the same principle, it is possible to prepare a compote of dates and dried apricots, then the drink will sparkle with new colors.

From dried apricots and apples

Just like compote of raisins and dried apricots, a drink with apples has double the amount of nutrients. You can use any apples: dry and fresh, sour and sweet, thereby experimenting with the decoction.
Compote of dried apricots with apple For example, you can prepare the following drink:

Wash 1 medium sweet apple and cut into quarters.
Rinse 200 g of dried apricots and soak for a quarter of an hour.
Place the prepared ingredients in a saucepan, add 150 g of sugar, less if possible.
Pour 2 liters of cold water.
Bring to a boil and cook for 5-6 minutes.

There is an option to pour boiling water over the ingredients, then the total cooking time will be reduced.

With ginger

This refers to candied ginger root, but some gourmets prefer to use the root of the plant without sugar.

This drink is effective for colds and is best drunk hot.

You need to do this:

Cut 100 g of ginger as finely as possible, you can grind it.
200 g dried apricot, chopped.
Add 150 g of sugar. If you take melted honey instead of sugar, the drink will acquire an additional anti-inflammatory property.
Pour 2.5 liters of water over the food and boil for 5 minutes.

Compote of dried apricots with ginger A cold drink is also useful.

Housewives have their own secrets for preparing a tasty and healthy drink:

Without sterilization, you should not cook a lot of compote; the taste is preserved for a long time, but the substances that have a beneficial effect on the body disappear.
If you are tired of the yellow tint of the broth, use cranberries, black currants, and other bright berries and fruits to add other shades.
To prevent the taste from being cloying, add a teaspoon of citric acid during preparation or lemon juice to the cooled drink.

Many people advise adding rose hips, which also contribute to the overall health of the body.

A drink made from dried apricot slices is a natural vitamin complex that is included in the list of healthy dishes. Prepare compote from dried apricots, use additional ingredients, experiment, strengthen the body correctly!