Lighten up dessert with this fruit compote recipe

For a healthy treat, a slow cooker works magic on hearty fall and winter fruits. Try this recipe for apple and pear compote for a nutritious and delicious alternative to fatty desserts.

Prep time 25 minutes; Cook time (in slow cooker) 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 6 to 7 hours on low; Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2 lbs) firm cooking apples, such as Granny Smith, Empire, Northern Spy or Rome, peeled, cored and sliced
• 500 g (1 lb) ripe but firm pears, such as Bosc or Anjou, peeled, cored and sliced
• 50 g (1/4 c) granulated sugar
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh lemon juice
• 2 strips lemon zest
• 5 g (1 tsp) grated fresh ginger
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 50 g (1/4 c) sliced almonds
• 125 ml (1/2 c) low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt

Instructions:

1. Coat a four litre (four quart) or larger slow cooker with cooking spray. Add the apples, pears, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and ginger and toss to mix well. Cover and cook until the fruit is very tender and almost translucent but not puréed, 2.5 to 3.5 hours on high or six to seven hours on low
2. Discard the lemon zest. Gently stir in the vanilla. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool slightly. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. The compote will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to four months
3. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, three to four minutes
4. Top each serving of compote with a dollop of yogurt and sprinkle with almonds. One serving is 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of compote, 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of yogurt and seven grams (1/2 tablespoon) of almonds

• 131 calories
• 2 g protein
• 29 g carbohydrates
• 3 g fibre
• 2 g total fat
• 0 g saturated fat
• 1 mg cholesterol
• 11 mg sodium

In this compote, the fruit takes on a tender, almost custard-like consistency and the natural sweetness of the fruit intensifies during the long slow cooking. Enjoy it for breakfast or dessert. Each portion provides one serving fruit and one gram good fat.