Warm Spiced Grape Compote

Serves 4 · 10 min prep · 20 min cook

Ingredients

• 3 cups seedless red and black grapes
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean or extract
• 1 pinch of ground black pepper
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

1. 1Rinse the grapes and pat them dry; leave smaller ones whole and halve any very large grapes so they cook evenly.
2. 2Melt the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat until it foams and smells nutty.
3. 3Add the grapes to the skillet and cook, stirring gently, until they begin to soften and release juices, about 4 minutes.
4. 4Pour in the honey and orange juice, then tuck in the cinnamon stick, star anise, and thyme sprigs.
5. 5Sprinkle the black pepper and add the vanilla; stir once to coat everything.
6. 6Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered until the grapes collapse slightly and the liquid thickens to a glossy syrup, 12 to 15 minutes.
7. 7Watch for the bubbles to slow and the syrup to coat the back of a spoon; remove from heat before it turns jammy.
8. 8Discard the cinnamon stick, star anise, and thyme stems.
9. 9Spoon the warm compote into small bowls or over yogurt or ice cream while still fragrant and steaming.
10. 10Leftovers keep refrigerated up to five days and reheat gently in the same skillet for another quick dessert.