Ingredients

•          8 eating apples , peeled, cored and cut into chunks
•          4 medium Bramley apples , peeled, cored and cut into chunks
•          8 firm pears , peeled, cored and thickly sliced
•          6 tbsp sugar , or to taste
•          280g dried sour cherries (or dried cranberries)
•          STEP 1

Method

Put the apples and pears in a pan with the sugar and 50ml water. Bring to a simmer, then gently cook, covered, for 15 mins or so until the Bramley apple has collapsed to a purée and the eating apple and pear are tender (stir to make sure it doesn’t catch on the bottom).

•          STEP 2

Stir in the cherries or cranberries for 1 min, taste and add a little more sugar if necessary. Can be chilled for 3-5 days. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if you like. See 'Goes well with' for ideas for using up the compote.