Description
Barefoot Contessa’s roasted pear and apple sauce blends seasonal fruits with warm spices for a comforting homemade treat. Gentle roasting caramelizes natural sugars, creating a rich, complex companion that elevates simple desserts and breakfast dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.4 kg (3 lbs) sweet red apples (Macoun or Empire, about 8 apples)
- 1.4 kg (3 lbs) ripe Bosc pears (about 7 pears)
- 2 large navel oranges (zest and juice)
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F for optimal roasting conditions.
- Citrus Base: In a large nonreactive Dutch oven, combine freshly grated orange and lemon zest with their extracted juices, creating a vibrant aromatic foundation.
- Fruit Preparation: Carefully peel, quarter, and core apples and pears, immediately tossing them in the citrus mixture to prevent browning, ensuring an even coating of the tangy liquid.
- Flavor Infusion: Generously sprinkle brown sugar and ground cinnamon over the fruit, strategically dotting with butter to enhance caramelization and depth of flavor.
- Roasting Process: Thoroughly mix ingredients, ensuring uniform coverage, then securely cover the Dutch oven and place in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes until fruits soften and develop a rich, golden hue.
- Texture Development: Remove from oven and vigorously whisk the roasted fruit, breaking down the mixture to create a rustic, slightly chunky compote, noting the natural breakdown of apples compared to pears.
- Serving: Allow the sauce to cool slightly, presenting it warm or at room temperature as a versatile accompaniment to various dishes or enjoyed independently.
Notes
- Fruit Selection Matters: Choose firm, ripe pears and apples to ensure the best texture and natural sweetness in your roasted sauce.
- Citrus Protection Technique: Coating fruits in lemon and orange juice prevents browning and adds a bright, tangy background flavor.
- Caramelization Magic: Slow roasting allows natural sugars to develop deep, rich flavors and create a luxurious, complex sauce.
- Consistency Control: Whisking carefully creates a rustic texture – don’t overmix, as some fruit chunks provide delightful variations in each spoonful.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg