Mini-Oktoberfest: Spiced Apple Compote, aka Stewed Apples (RECIPE)

I found this recipe in a free magazine offered by the grocery store that I shop at. As usual, commentary in italics.

Spiced Apple Compote

1 and 1/2 C water (I used a 50/50 mix of water and apple juice.)
1/4 C sugar
1 whole cinnamon stick
3 whole cloves
Peel from half a lemon (You want to avoid getting the white part of the rind when you do this. A gentle hand and a regular vegetable peeler worked for me.)
Juice from half a lemon, or 3 tbsp lemon juice
4 cups peeled and sliced firm apples (I used 4 good sized apples and didn't bother to measure if this was 4 cups worth or not. I used Golden Delicious, because I like their flavor for cooking dishes to be served with a meal - not so much when it comes to baking or applesauce - but they will get soft or mushy if overcooked.)
1/4 C raisins

In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, lemon peel and lemon juice. Bring liquid to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Add the apples and simmer uncovered 5 to 8 minutes, or until the apples are tender but not mushy. Remove from heat, remove lemon peel and add raisins. Allow mixture to cool slightly, transfer to a bowl and refrigerate. Remove cinnamon and cloves before serving.

I got this all set up and cooking first, before beginning the other dishes that I made. This was good in the sense that the apples had the chance to cool slightly before we ate them, but it was bad in the sense that I inadvertently cooked them a bit longer than I should have. I did not refrigerate them before serving and don't intend to serve the leftovers cold because I think they are better warm.

Also, if you feel like fishing around in there to remove the whole cloves - be my guest. I left them in there and warned my husband about their presence because I knew if I went on a hunting expedition to dig them out, I would end up mushing the apples even more.

Lastly, the leftovers would be good for breakfast the next day, alone or served on top of some oatmeal. Haven't tried this myself, but the concept sounds yummy so I'm recommending it.

I hope you've enjoyed this mini-series on Oktoberfest types of foods. I enjoy cooking and sharing both the foods and the recipes, so expect to see more of this type of thing around here :) .