Tarty Rhubarb-Thyme Compote

Author Notes

My mother often made a rhubarb sauce in the spring to have on hand as a treat, usually with vanilla ice cream. Rhubarb is often paired with strawberries to temper its tartness, but as I get older, I appreciate a bit of tartiness in a woman (or a man, for that matter), and certainly in my compote. Although thyme is usually served in savory dishes, with rhubarb it adds an earthiness and depth of flavor that takes this beyond a typical sweet treat. In this super simple recipe, the thyme flavor is subtle because I still want the rhubarb to be the star of the show, but you could play with it to suit your taste. I love this compote best for breakfast spooned on toast, over a scone, on pancakes, or swirled into yogurt. But Mom was on to something pairing it with vanilla ice cream. - Margy@hidethecheese —Margy@hidethecheese

Test Kitchen Notes

This pink compote is very pretty. The little flecks of thyme add a subtle herbiness. Adjust the sugar to the sweetness of your rhubarb to get your desired level of tartness. - Stephanie
—The Editors