Saturday Recipe: Budget Berry Compote

Amber Sewell-Green satisfies our sweet tooth with a budget berry compote.
This week’s recipe is super simple… but sometimes simplicity can reap the greatest rewards! We all know that immense supermarket shock when you’re craving some fresh, red raspberries only to find one punnet costs more than your weekly budget! So here’s a cheap cheat’s version of delectable berry compote; it’s sweet, it’s bright, it’s juicy, and it won’t break the piggy bank. Serve with breakfast oats or muesli, stir into ice-cream or ‘nice-cream’, add to cakes and desserts or eat on its own as a revitalising snack. And remember, berries are nature’s brain fuel!
Ingredients (serves 2)
-2 cups frozen berries: I use 1 cup each of frozen blueberries and raspberries, but you can also use mixed berries or others if you prefer.*
-1/3 cup sultanas or raisins
-1/3 cup unsweetened cranberries (for a tangy bite),
-1/3 cup shredded coconut
*if it’s in your budget, goji berries also taste great in this, to replace the cranberries.
Method
1. Add all the ingredients to a saucepan
2. Heat on low for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the berries have heated through and the dried fruit is juicy
3. Serve, top with fresh mint (you’ll find heaps in any community garden, there’s one on campus behind oval 4), nuts or homemade trail mix.
4. Try blending to make a rich berry sauce
*Do the Math: Coles & Aldi sell bags/boxes of frozen berries for under $5. I bought my berries at Coles for $4 per 500g bag, making 2x135g cups $2.16. Add an extra $1 for 1 cup of coconut and dried fruit and your gourmet berry treat costs you roughly $3.