Refreshing Turkish Fruit Compote

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 1 cup (200g) sugar 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 cloves 4 cloves
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced 2 pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 2 peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced 2 peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 cup cherries, pitted 1 cup cherries, pitted
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 0g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 46g, 40g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large saucepan, combine the water, sugar, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and lemon juice to the syrup. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the fruits are tender.
3. 3.
   Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the compote cool to room temperature.
4. 4.
   Once cooled, transfer the compote to a serving dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
5. 5.
   Serve the Hoşaf chilled and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and slightly tart apples such as Granny Smith or Braeburn for a balanced flavor in the compote.
• Pears — Opt for ripe but firm pears like Bartlett or Anjou to ensure they hold their shape during cooking.
• Peaches — Use ripe but not overly soft peaches for the best texture and flavor in the compote.
• Cherries — Fresh cherries work best in this recipe, but you can also use frozen cherries if fresh ones are not available.
• Lemon — Squeeze the lemon just before adding the juice to the compote to retain its freshness and tanginess.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, you can add a splash of rose water or orange blossom water to the syrup.
• Adjust the sweetness of the compote by adding more or less sugar according to your preference.
• Experiment with different combinations of fruits to create your own unique variations of Hoşaf.
• Serve the compote with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamy twist.
• Leftover Hoşaf can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the chilled Hoşaf in individual dessert bowls or glasses. For an elegant touch, garnish each serving with a sprig of fresh mint and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of the dish, arrange the sliced fruits in a decorative pattern in the serving dish before pouring the syrup over them. This will create an enticing display of colors and textures.