WARMING AYURVEDIC SPICED APPLE COMPOTE

Categories: Recipes
Date: 06/11/2018

Fruits for Autumn: A Warming Ayurvedic Spiced Apple Compote

Fruits may not be as much fun in Autumn, but well prepared they are a wonderful and healthy way to satisfy our cravings for sweet and warmth. Easy to digest, suitable for all three constitutions (or doshas), our comforting Ayurvedic apple compote recipe makes a perfect afternoon snack or accompaniment for breakfast.

Autumn, in most countries, has dryer and colder qualities (gunas in Sanskrit). These qualities influence not only the external environment but also our internal environment: the body and mind.

How the Gunas Influence Us

We only need to look at trees to understand the incredible influence of the seasons on all living beings. At an individual level, we may find, for example, that our skin and hair is dryer, we feel colder, we are more forgetful and find it difficult to concentrate, or feel like sleeping in a little longer and going to bed a little earlier.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar?

To keep our body healthy during the autumn season, we need to compensate this increase in cold and dry qualities by including more moisture and warmth into our lifestyle and diet.

Autumn is a perfect time to meet with friends and family around cosy meals and woodfires. It is also a perfect time to start wearing softer, warmer fabrics and slowing down our rhythm and routine. Just like hedgehogs, we are slowly getting ready for winter hibernation.

Diet & Warming Spices

With regards to our diet, we may include more warming spices according to our constitution, as well as well-cooked, warm, and moist dishes such as soups, mash, and casseroles. Warming spices include ginger, cardamom, thyme, nutmeg, and cloves. Taken in moderation, these will warm the body and facilitate the digestive process.

Another great activity for the season is relaxed cooking. Why not delight your family, friends, or colleagues by preparing this delicious and healthy spiced apple compote?

Ayurvedic Spiced Apple Compote Recipe

Ingredients

3 locally grown organic apples (sweet variations are best)
1 handful raisins or sultanas
1 handful almonds (without skin)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp ginger (powder is especially good for Kapha; grated is best for Vata and Pitta)
Cane sugar or jaggery (optional – to taste)
2 tsp ghee or butter (especially good for Vata)

Method

Soak: Place the sultanas and the almonds in two separate glasses of water to soak.
Prep: Cut the apples into small cubes.
Sauté: In a pot, heat the butter or ghee. Add the spices and stir for one minute, then add the apples and sultanas. Stir for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and slightly caramelised.
Simmer: Add enough hot water to just cover the fruits. Bring to a boil. Lower the flame and let simmer for 15 minutes with a closed lid.
Serve: Remove from the heat and leave to cool for a few minutes. Blend if you wish to obtain a smooth consistency—adjusting the water content to taste.

Serving Suggestion: Serve the spiced apple compote warm over pancakes, with a biscuit, or on its own, topped with chopped almonds. Bon Appetit!

About Elena Beurdeley

Ayurvedic Consultant – DipALN, DipAMT (Ayurveda)
The Ayurveda Centre – Athens

Elena is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and Mindfulness Counselor based in Athens, specializing in stress resilience, gut health, and hormonal balance. She offers one-on-one consultations, wellness retreats in Greece, and specialized therapies like Abhyanga and trauma-informed yoga.

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