Description
Barefoot Contessa’s roasted pear and apple sauce blends seasonal fruits into a silky, warmly spiced autumn treat. Fragrant cinnamon and vanilla mingle with caramelized pears and apples, creating a simple yet luxurious companion for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Fruits:
- 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds) sweet red apples (Macoun or Empire, about 8 apples)
- 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds) ripe Bosc pears (about 7 pears)
- Zest and juice of 2 large navel oranges
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 100 grams (½ cup) light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Fats:
- 30 grams (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F, ensuring an even cooking environment.
- Select a large nonreactive Dutch oven and extract the vibrant zest and tangy juice from fresh oranges and lemons, creating a citrusy foundation.
- Meticulously prepare the fruit by carefully peeling, quartering, and removing the cores from apples and pears, then delicately coat them in the citrus liquid to preserve their pristine appearance.
- Enhance the fruit mixture by generously sprinkling brown sugar and warming cinnamon over the prepared produce, then dot with rich, creamy butter.
- Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring an even distribution of flavors and preventing fruit damage.
- Securely cover the Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven, allowing the fruits to slowly transform and caramelize for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Once the fruits have softened and developed a deep, golden color, remove from the oven and use a whisk to carefully break down the mixture.
- Continue whisking until the compote reaches a rustic, slightly chunky consistency, noting that apples will naturally dissolve more readily than pears.
- Let the compote cool slightly and serve either warm or at room temperature as a versatile accompaniment to desserts, breakfast dishes, or as a standalone treat.
Notes
- Savor the Best Apple Varieties: Pick naturally sweet Macoun or Empire apples that bring out incredible depth and richness in your sauce.
- Slice with Precision: Chop apples and pears into consistent, uniform pieces ensuring every bite cooks perfectly and looks professionally prepared.
- Squeeze Fresh Citrus Magic: Grab ripe oranges and lemons, extracting juice moments before cooking to infuse a bright, zesty flavor that bottled versions can’t match.
- Select Smart Cookware: Reach for stainless steel or enameled cast iron pots that prevent unwanted metallic undertones and guarantee pure, clean fruit flavors.
- Customize Your Sweetness: Sample the fruit mixture before baking, sprinkling brown sugar thoughtfully to balance natural fruit sugars and create a personalized taste experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 8 servings)
- Calories: Approximately 200 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 8mg