Normally fruit cooked and reduced in sugar. Can be served either warm or chilled flavoured with, say, vanilla, cloves or cinnamon and/or accompanied by cream and biscuits. Dried fruit soaked in water, tea or alcohol before cooking in a syrup can also constitute a compote, and vegetable compotes such as onion and pepper are common in France (although we would call them chutneys).
© 2007 Trish Deseine. All rights reserved.