Holiday Releases Recipe
Make Holiday Releases Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Festive Spiced Cranberry-Apple Compote
Toasted Spiced Pecans (optional garnish)
Warm Vanilla Citrus Whipped Cream (optional)
Method
Festive Spiced Cranberry-Apple Compote
Prepare fruit
Rinse the cranberries and pick out any soft or damaged ones. Peel, core and dice the apples into roughly 1/2-inch pieces so they soften evenly.
Combine and simmer
In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan combine the cranberries, diced apples, granulated sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and lemon juice. Stir to combine and let sit for 5 minutes so fruit begins releasing juices.
Add spices
Add the ground cinnamon, ground ginger, whole cloves and star anise to the pan along with the 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Cook down
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every 2–3 minutes, until cranberries have burst, apples are tender but not mushy, and mixture is glossy and slightly thickened — about 15–20 minutes. Mash any large cranberries or apple pieces with the back of a spoon if you prefer a smoother texture.
Adjust sweetness and finish
Taste and add up to 2 tablespoons more sugar if you like it sweeter. Remove whole cloves and star anise with a slotted spoon. If compote seems too thin, simmer 2–3 more minutes; if too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons water or orange juice.
Cool and store
Let the compote cool slightly before serving warm, or chill completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Reheat gently before serving.
Toasted Spiced Pecans (optional garnish)
In a small skillet over medium heat melt the butter. Add the pecan halves and toss to coat. Sprinkle brown sugar, smoked paprika and 1/8 teaspoon salt over the pecans and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar melts and coats the nuts and they become fragrant — about 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a sheet of parchment to cool; they will crisp as they cool. Break into clusters if desired and sprinkle on top of the compote just before serving.
Warm Vanilla Citrus Whipped Cream (optional)
Place the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract and orange zest in a chilled bowl. Whip with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form, about 2–3 minutes. Serve immediately on warm compote or keep chilled up to 2 hours. For a slightly warmer topping, gently fold one tablespoon of warm compote into the whipped cream right before dolloping.