I don’t know what the weather’s like where you are, but here in New England we are getting some seriously unseasonably chilly, rainy weather.
Not. A. Fan.
So naturally, I have been craving stews, pasta, and other hearty, filling dishes. In Westeros, that means looking toward recipes from the North, from Winterfell and Castle Black, which is where today’s simple recipe comes from.
This easy dish can be served either alongside a meat course or as a dessert in its own right. It makes use of ingredients commonly found in Westeros, even at the Wall: dried fruit, a few spices, and a touch of tangy vinegar. The warmth of the cinnamon and the bite of small ginger bits mixed among the fruit would be a welcome part of a meal in the frigid north, while the tender stewed fruits an infrequent treat. Consider serving with pork, beef, or lamb.
Night’s Watch Compote Recipe
Prep: 10 minutes – Cooking: 30 minutes
Makes: about 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 2-3 apples and/or pears
- 1/4 cup dried dates, diced
- 1/4 cup dried figs, stemmed and quartered
- 1/4 cup dried currants
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1 heaped Tbs. diced candied ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 c white wine
- 2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
- 1/2 c sugar
- water to cover
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, and add just enough water to cover. Cook on medium low heat for about 30 minutes, or until the fruit is soft, but not mushy, and most of the liquid has evaporated. Remove the cinnamon stick, and transfer the compote to a serving dish or clean jar. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. Best served warm.