Apple Cider Compote

Nothing feels more like fall to me than the smells and flavors of apples and spices. I use this compote for a filling in my cupcakes, topping for pancakes and an add in for my bread pudding. My apples had
lost their crispness, and some flavor; they were going unappreciated on my counter. Knowing I did not want to waste them, compote was the perfect solution to my bread pudding/hard loaf of french bread predicament.
I took 3 apples, peeled and diced and put in a saucepan. I added about 1/4 c. apple cider instant mix. I have a Smart and Final that sells it in bulk, not in packets. Since I use it for my baking, this is just right.

I added a little bit of water to this to simmer, maybe 1/2 c. Apples were cooked until they softened up. I added an instant thickener that I also use a lot, Ultra Gel. It is a modified food starch, and can be used hot or cold. I would highly recommend you ordering it because it is so easy, and lets you keep a very fresh flavor to things. If I wanted this apple cider compote to be more of a topping, I would add some apple juice to increase the volume and add the Ultra Gel to it to bring it to the right consistency.

It can be bought here: http://www.carnetfoods.com