Fruit Compote

My husband and I stayed in this wonderful bed & breakfast in Albany last year and every breakfast the owner would have this great dish on the sideboard to go with the other yummy foods. Iloved it so much that I asked her for the recipe and was lucky enough to be given it. Thank you Trish for sharing it with me and for the wonderful stay we had with you. I need to warn you that this is very decadent but worth the extra calories you may gain.

PREPARATION:

2 cups of water (generous)
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 cloves
3 pieces crystallized ginger (finely chopped)

Bring this slowly to the boil then add a dash of brandy. Turn heat down to simmer and add:
4 figs
8 pears
10 apricots
some dried apricots and other dried fruit of choice

Slice some of the fruit to make more manageable

Simmer all this for approx 20 minutes or until soft. Let it stand to go cold. This is best served at breakfast time with some plain greek style yoghurt. This will make up quite a lot so you can halve or even quarter this to suit.