Recipe information
Yield
Makes about 3 cups
Ingredients
1/2 pound shallots (about 16, each about 1 inch in diameter)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup white-wine vinegar
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried unsweetened sour cherries* (about 8 ounces)
2 cups fresh or unthawed frozen cranberries, picked over
1/2 cup water
*available at specialty foods shops and many supermarkets
Preparation
Step 1
In a saucepan of boiling water blanch shallots 1 minute and drain. Peel shallots and separate into cloves where possible.
Step 2
In a heavy saucepan cook shallots in butter over moderate heat, stirring, until coated well. Add sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar and cook, stirring, until sugar mixture turns a golden caramel. Add remaining vinegar, wine, and salt and boil 1 minute. Add cherries and simmer, covered, 45 minutes, or until shallots are tender.
Step 3
Add cranberries and water and boil gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes, or until cranberries burst. Transfer compote to a bowl and cool. Compote may be made 5 days ahead and chilled, covered.
Step 4
Serve compote at room temperature.
