Amanda & Merrill

Rhubarb Strawberry Compote

May 17, 2011

Rhubarb Strawberry Compote

- Merrill

Before Passover this year, our office mate Avi sent me a recipe from his grandmother, Riva Schamroth; it was a rhubarb and strawberry compote, and he asked me to try it out -- it's a dish he loves, and he was convinced it deserved a mention on food52.

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Unfortunately, rhubarb wasn't quite in season, so I asked if he could hold out a few more weeks. Then, when the first crimson stalks appeared at the farmers' market about two weeks ago, I made the compote. Riva's recipe is appealing in its straightforwardness: all she calls for are 1 pound of strawberries, 1 pound of rhubarb, sugar (1 3/4 cups of it) and water. While I loved the concept, her compote was a little sweet for my taste, and I had some ideas for a possible riff. (Shocking, I know.)

The second time around, I added less sugar (I used turbinado, which I think gives the compote a caramel undertone), infused the compote with some orange peel, and splashed in a glug or two from the open bottle of rosé that was lying around in my fridge -- I can't tell you why, it just seemed like the right thing to do. The compote, cooked just until the fruit started to fall apart but had not yet become a complete mush, was tart and fresh, perfumed with the oils from the orange peel, and it had just enough sweetness to keep your mouth from puckering. I ate mine over the course of a few breakfasts, over both plain Greek yogurt and ricotta, but I bet it would be pretty g ood over ice cream too.

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Inspired by Avi's Bubby

Makes about 2 cups

  • 3 cups rhubarb (4 large stalks), trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 pound frozen or fresh strawberries
  • 6 tablespoons raw (turbinado) sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • Peel from 1/2 large navel orange
  • 3 tablespoons rosé wine
  •  

See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.

 

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I'm a native New Yorker, Le Cordon Bleu graduate, former food writer/editor turned entrepreneur, mother of two, and unapologetic lover of cheese.

18 Comments

sboulton May 22, 2011
It also makes a superb cobbler or crisp. Just add 4 tablespoons of tapioca granules or starch, and your favorite crumb or crust topping. YUM!!! 350 degrees for an hour. The best breakfast ever with greek yogurt!
 
sboulton May 22, 2011
I've been making this for years, also from my grandmother's recipe. They are a natural combination since they are in season the same time. I also reduced the sugar quite a bit, added orange zest, but I added a bit of cinammon, a pinch of fresh ginger and 1/8 tsp of freshly grated nutmeg. It adds layers of flavors to the finish.
 
sarah@twotarts May 22, 2011
We made almost this exactly same recipe (minus the rose) a few weeks ago. I can't believe how simple & delicious it is! We ate ours with French toast & mascarpone: http://www.two-tarts.com/2011/05/may-brunch-monthly-menu.html
 
EmilyC May 21, 2011
Made this last night to accompany Louisa's cake...so, so good. The raw sugar instead of granulated is so clever...makes a big difference in the taste. I'm thinking of using the leftover compote to make a strawberry-rhubarb shake.
 
Denise May 19, 2011
The color is so beautiful!
 
STC May 17, 2011
Although, over Greek yogurt is delicious, I make a very simple cake to serve my compote over. It absorbs the juices and nothing is left behind! (I also love the glass bowls!!)
 
Merrill S. May 17, 2011
That sounds great. I'm thinking pound cake and a little whipped cream also wouldn't be a bad idea...
 
EmilyC May 18, 2011
I've served a similar compote with the almond cake recipe from Bouchon...so good.
 
Kristen M. May 17, 2011
To the coveters -- a similar conversation cropped up the last time we featured something in these cups here: http://bit.ly/hu1W4A (versatile, aren't they?)
 
Panfusine May 17, 2011
http://www.connox.com/categories/cooking/cooking-and-backing-dishes/jenaer-glas-wagenfeld-egg-coddler.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wagenfeld-JENAer-Glass-Egg-Coddler-No-2-Jena-Glas-New-/220669105557

2 sites that list them.... *sigh*
 
aargersi May 17, 2011
I am with you Merrill - I often splash a little of whatever I am drinking or what is in the fridge into whatever I am making. Wine improves most everything!
 
Merrill S. May 17, 2011
I couldn't agree with you more.
 
Panfusine May 17, 2011
sounds delish.. but what also got my attention was this lovely glass pot that I see starring in may of your winning recipes.. Any pointer where I could buy one of these ?
Thanks!
 
Merrill S. May 17, 2011
See below!
 
sarahdecker May 17, 2011
I agree; where can we get the glass cups??
 
EmilyC May 17, 2011
This compote over greek yogurt sounds divine. And I'm love with these glass custard cups, which I've seen in several pictures across the site. Where are they from?
 
GardenFresh May 17, 2011
I agree with both counts: recipe looks delicious and would love to know where these glass cups come from, they look so sweet.

My favorite thing to do with simple rhubarb compote is to put it over plain yogurt with some crushed up English-style Flapjacks [like this recipe, similar to the recipe I use: http://www.food52.com/recipes/4159_moms_flapjacks] and a drizzle of honey. I can only imagine how much better it would be with this version.
 
Merrill S. May 17, 2011
They're Amanda's glass cups, and I think she got them in Germany -- I'll have to double-check with her, though. Aren't they great?