Spiced Fig and Apple Compote

SPICED FIG AND APPLE COMPOTE

(This is good warm or at room temperature, on its own or over Greek yogurt.)

2 quarter-size thin slices fresh ginger
5 whole cloves
1 (4-inch) cinnamon stick
2 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
½ cup fresh orange juice
2 Tbsp. honey
8 oz. fresh figs, trimmed and quartered (or dried figs)
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted (opt.)

Lay a double layer of cheese cloth on your work surface and place in its center the ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. Enclose the spices and tie with kitchen string to form a spice bundle. (You can throw spices loosely into pan but make sure you pick them out at the end.)


In a small saucepan, place the apples, orange juice, honey and spice bundle. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the figs and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat. Remove and discard the spice bundle. Stir in the nuts if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. ( You can store the compote in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 fays. Heat in a microwave for about 30 seconds on high power, stirring once during heating, or in a small saucepan before serving. Add a tsp. or two of water to the saucepan if the compote seems dry.)

from Jillian Michaels Master Your Metabolism Cookbook