Written By: Chef Peggy Aoki
Spring is here, and that means the start of strawberry season! I love eating fresh strawberries, simply cut up over ice cream, oatmeal or in salads.
But sometimes you’ve overbought and the strawberries start to lose their glossy freshness, or the berries are not ripe enough and you find yourself with a quantity of berries that need a little something.
Adding a little heat, sweet and acid is just what’s called for in this situation. Honey Roasted Strawberry Compote is easy to make, improves those languishing or unripe berries and extends the time you can enjoy them. Compote is the term for sweetened, cooked fruits and is typically cooked on the stove. This version uses the gentle heat of the oven to concentrate the fruit into a jammy and delicious preserve.
Recipe
Honey Roasted Strawberry Compote
Ingredients You'll Need:
1 quart basket strawberries
¼ cup honey
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: 1 teaspoon orange liqueur, orange blossom water or one drop orange oil
Recipe Procedure:
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Rinse the strawberries and cut off the green leaves, but minimize the amount of fruit you remove. Even white shouldered strawberries are fine for this preparation.
Place the strawberries in a baking dish that will hold them in a single layer if possible, and drizzle with the honey and lemon juice. Roast for 20 minutes, or until the strawberries are soft and somewhat collapsed.
Remove from the oven and allow the berries to cool. Mash the berries with a fork or leave them whole, depending on your preference. Add the vanilla extract and optional orange flavoring. Stir together and scoop the compote into a container with a tight fitting lid.
The compote will keep refrigerated for 2 weeks, and can also be frozen for 3 months.
4 Ways to Use Your Homemade Honey Roasted Strawberry Compote:
No. 1
Ricotta Toast
I love to spoon some roasted strawberry compote over toast spread with ricotta cheese. You could sprinkle the toast with pistachios or sliced almonds for a little additional crunch.
No. 2
Yogurt and Ice Cream
The compote is also a delicious addition to Greek yogurt or oatmeal, and of course over a scoop of your favorite ice cream.
No. 3
Strawberry Mojitos
With strawberry compote on hand, you can create a quick Strawberry Mojito, with or without rum. Simply mash together a few tablespoons of compote, the juice of a lemon or lime and a few mint leaves in a tall glass. You can add 2 oz or rum if you wish, then fill the glass with sparkling water and ice.
No. 4
Strawberries and Cream Crêpes
Strawberry and Creme Crêpes would be a brilliant way to serve the compote, too. Simply stir a half cup of roasted strawberry compote into 8 oz softened cream cheese and use to fill crepes. Serve the crepes with a spoonful of compote drizzled on top and a few slices of fresh orange.
If you want to improve your cooking skills, try one of our Fēst classes with a chef to talk you through the recipe. We’d love to work with you to up your spring cooking game!
Fēst, pronounced 'feast', is a collective of Chefs, Pastry Chefs and Sommeliers who teach guided, interactive and completely customizable classes to cooking-curious people of all skill levels around the world.