Warm Apple Compote with Dried Fruit and Thickened Vanilla Cream:

2 cups apple cider
2 tbsp dark brown sugar
¼ cup light corn syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
8 tbsp unsalted butter
6 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1 inch pieces
½ cup white sugar
2 cups golden raisins, dried blueberries, dried cherries, or dried currants
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp superfine granulated sugar
½ tsp vanilla
Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish, optional

In a small saucepan, combine the cider, brown sugar, corn syrup and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and reduce by half.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the apples and cook for 10 minutes Sprinkle with the sugar and cook until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes longer. Add the raisins and cook 3 minutes more. Toss the mixture with the apple cider reduction. Warm through and serve with the cream.

To make the cream: in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip, or in a cold metal bowl, combine the cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat or whip vigorously until the mixture is the consistency of a thick milk shake. To serve, spoon the compote into glasses and drizzle the thickened cream over it. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg.

TIP: Substitute dried blueberries, cranberries, cherries, or any combination of dried fruit for the raisins and have a different dessert every time.

Serves 6

More "Everyday Gourmet" Recipes:
Endive Salad with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Cumin Glazed Pork Filets with Pears
Maple Glazed Butternut Squash