Strawberry Compote
Recipe by Sarah Phillips © 2003 Sarah Phillips CraftyBaking.com
You know what it's like when you find red ripe strawberries at the farmers' market and are just dying to use them with the left-over Pound Cake Recipe you have at home. You rush home and just want to make a simple and fast berry compote to go along with the last bits of cake, while the kettle heats for your cup of hot tea. This is the recipe you should grab for!
FROSTING, ICING, ETC RECIPE HELP
Strawberries are in season March to June, but are grown in hot houses and can be purchase year round from grocery stores. They should be juicy red all the way through.
Choose berries that are brightly colored, form and have hulls (green caps) attached. Check underneath the top layer of strawberries in the box or basket for smashed or moldy ones. Do not buy boxes that are stained or leaking.
For best results, store your strawberries in the original clear clamshell container you purchased them in. For berries purchased in plastic pint containers, transfer them to a large container with a dry paper towel on the bottom. Don't wash your berries until you are ready to use them. Under ideal conditions, strawberries should keep for 2 - 5 days in your refrigerator, but for best results, consume your berries as soon after purchase as possible.
Rinse strawberries before cutting; do so before you remove their green tops and stems. Your berry will not get as water-logged and mushy if you do. Arrange on paper towels to dry.
INGREDIENTS
1 pound fresh strawberries, quartered or 4 cups thawed frozen strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice. optional
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large bowl, slice 2/3 of the strawberries.
2. Mash 1/3 of the strawberries with a potato masher and mix mashed berries and juice back in with the rest of the berries. Toss the strawberries with sugar and optionally, lemon juice.
3. It's good to eat right away. For best results, cover and refrigerate until the strawberries give off some juices, at least 2 hours or overnight.
STORAGE
The strawberry compote is best used after two hours or after an overnight stay in the refrigerator. It does not keep well beyond that - or perhaps maybe for another day because the strawberries get mushy.