Lulu’s Apricot Compote with Green Almonds

Recipe by: Alice Waters | from Chez Panisse Fruit

Cookstr

Course: Dessert

Total Time: Under 2 Hours

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

lulursquos-apricot-compote-with-green-almonds

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

This dessert was inspired by Lulu Peyraud, the matriarch of the Domaine Tempier; we love it for its simplicity. Use apricots that are ripe but still firm enough to hold their shape after poaching. Green almonds are simply immature almonds still in their fuzzy green skins; they are available only in the spring before the shell hardens. They have an indescribably delicate crunchy texture and a clean, mild almond flavor.

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 pound fresh apricots, halved, pitted, and cut in quarters
2¼ cups plus 3 tablespoons sugar
½ pound green almonds (about 12)
1½ cups water
One 2-inch piece vanilla bean

Directions

Toss the quartered apricots gently with 3 tablespoons sugar and set aside to macerate for about 1 hour.

With a small knife, cut the green almonds along the crease, then twist to open. Pop out the kernel inside, and using the knife and your fingers, peel away the white skin to reveal an even whiter kernel. Collect all the green almonds in a bowl and discard all the scraps. Cut the almonds into slivers and set aside, covered with a damp towel, until ready to serve.

Stir together 2¼ cups sugar and 1½ cups water in a medium-size nonreactive saucepan. Split the piece of vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds into the saucepan, reserving the pods for another use. Bring the mixture to a full boil, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar and break up the bits of vanilla seeds.

Reduce the heat to a simmer, add the apricots, and poach them in the syrup for about 5 minutes, until very tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.

Remove from the syrup and let cool. Divide the apricots among 4 dessert plates, spoon a few tablespoons of the vanilla syrup over each serving, and sprinkle the slivered green almonds on top.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 546kcal (27%)

Calcium 25mg (3%)

Vitamin C 11mg (19%)

Vitamin A 108mcg RAE (4%)

Potassium 318mg

Magnesium 21mg

Protein 2g

Sugar 132g

Fiber 3g

Total Carbohydrate 135g