How to cook compote in a slow cooker?
Modern household appliances allow the hostess to cope with the preparation of a wide variety of dishes much faster, making this process easier and more enjoyable. The appearance of a multicooker in the kitchen makes it possible to cook a variety of food, while managing with just one container instead of a lot of kitchen utensils. If it becomes necessary to cook compote using a slow cooker, you need to know the basic nuances and step-by-step instructions for this process.
General cooking rules
Healthy and tasty food is the basis of everything, without it it is impossible to imagine a normal and full life of a person. In addition to food, special attention should be paid to what exactly adults and children drink during the day. In order not to abuse harmful drinks, it is better to cook tasty and healthy compotes on your own.
The benefit of this drink lies in the abundance of vitamins contained in fruits, from which this compote is prepared.
Before the advent of the multicooker, compotes had to be cooked on the stove, which was not so convenient and safe. Thanks to the versatility of the new household appliance and the presence of a sufficiently large number of modes, it became possible to cook a huge number of various dishes in it. Most models of multicookers have such modes as:
- cooking cereals;
- frying;
- steam cooking;
- bakery products;
- extinguishing;
- soup;
- heating.
In addition to cooking various dishes, you can also cook compotes in a slow cooker using the “Soup” and “Stew” modes for this.Additional functions that help in the process of work are "Cooking" (not available on all appliances) and "Steam cooking". Among the most popular multicookers with which you can cook compote, it is worth highlighting models from brands:
- redmond;
- Panasonic;
- Polaris;
- Vitek;
- scarlet.
Each household appliance has not only a certain set of functions, but also a different duration of cooking in each of the modes.
The taste of the drink will depend not only on the duration of the cooking process, but also on the ingredients that will be used for this.
Selection and preparation of ingredients
Using a multicooker for cooking allows you to maximize the beneficial properties of products. When preparing compote, it is important to get not only a tasty, but also a healthy drink, which becomes possible thanks to the slow cooker. To cook a good compote, you need to understand what exactly can be added to it and what this or that ingredient will give:
- cherry helps to maintain normal hemoglobin levels;
- thanks to dried apples and pears it is possible to correct pressure indicators, improve metabolic processes, and improve the functioning of the nervous system;
- raisin helps to lower the level of acetone in the blood;
- compote with raspberries, cranberries and currants will help strengthen the immune system, a faster recovery process after colds and even lower the temperature during illness;
- thanks to dried plums you can improve the work of the digestive tract;
- presence in the drink wild rose will allow you to control your weight, as well as strengthen the body due to the significant amount of vitamin C in it;
- compote with apples and lemon helps improve liver function;
- usage dried apricots will give a surge of vivacity and energy, increase the overall tone of the body;
- Availability prunes will cleanse the body and normalize the level of hemoglobin.
When creating your drink, you can combine fruits and dried fruits in it, achieving a certain health and taste effect.
To prepare compote using a slow cooker, you need to know the basic principles of operation of the device, have all the necessary ingredients and add them to the bowl of the device in the correct sequence. Any fresh fruit must be washed and cleaned of stones. It is advisable to pre-soak dried fruits so that they swell and give more taste and aroma to the compote. Sugar or its substitute is used in cases where you need to add sweetness to the drink. Once all the components are ready, you can begin the process of preparing the drink.
Recipes
To prepare a delicious compote in a slow cooker, you can rely solely on your own strengths and skills, or use already proven recipes using dried fruits, frozen and fresh fruits. The most common recipe is a drink preparation option, which will require:
- about three liters of water;
- 300-500 g dried fruits;
- 5-6 art. l. Sahara.
To cook a delicious compote, you must:
- wash the fruits, soak the dried fruits for 5 minutes, then drain the unnecessary liquid;
- fill the multicooker with water and set the "Cooking" mode;
- as soon as the water boils, pour sugar and fruits into the container and set the “Extinguishing” mode;
- when the cooking time comes to an end, it is advisable to switch the appliance to the "Heating" mode for 15 minutes.
When the cooking procedure is over, you need to give the drink time to cool, then strain it and serve.
If the hostess does not have a large number of ingredients for cooking compote, then using a slow cooker you can make such a drink even from one component. Rosehip or raisin compotes are distinguished by special taste qualities and a large amount of vitamins. To prepare the first option, you need to take:
- rose hips - 150-200 g;
- water - 2.5-3 liters;
- sugar - 8 tbsp. l. or fructose.
The cooking process is extremely simple:
- thoroughly wash the wild rose and immerse it in the multicooker container;
- add the required amount of sugar;
- pour water;
- turn on the “Steam cooking” function and set the timer for 15 minutes;
- after the time has elapsed, the “Heating” mode is set to infuse the compote for one hour;
- the finished drink is cooled and filtered, after which it is sent to the refrigerator.
Such a compote must be drunk in two days, while it retains the maximum amount of useful substances.
Making compote from raisins in a slow cooker has a different technology. Among the necessary ingredients you need to have:
- raisins - 150 g (preferably light);
- water - 2 l;
- sugar 3-4 tablespoons.
The compote brewing procedure is as follows:
- raisins are washed and poured with warm water for several hours;
- the container of the multicooker is filled with water and brought to a boil in the “Cooking” mode;
- raisins are poured into the capacity of the multicooker, after which the mode changes to "Extinguishing";
- shortly before the compote is ready, you can add sugar if necessary;
- when the drink is ready, it should be left for 15 minutes to infuse, then strain and serve.
Often, compotes are prepared in the summer, during hot weather and an increased feeling of thirst, but this drink can also be brewed in the cold season, for which not only fresh fruits and dried fruits, but also frozen ones are suitable.For the winter, you can prepare currants, cherries, plums and everything that has a good taste and a maximum of vitamins.
To prepare compote from frozen berries and any other fruits, you must:
- frozen berries, the amount of each component can vary from 100 to 200 g;
- dried fruits - apples, raisins, dried apricots - to choose from;
- sugar - no more than half a glass;
- water - at least three liters.
The cooking process will look like this.
- Dried fruits are washed and soaked for half an hour.
- Prepared dried fruits, frozen fruits and berries are poured into the multicooker container, after which sugar is added and water is poured. The slow cooker is set to the “Steam cooking” mode for 30 minutes.
- After the time has elapsed, it is necessary to switch the cooking mode to "Heating" to allow the compote to brew well. The optimal time for this step is 1 hour.
Compote cooked in a slow cooker is filtered and poured into a decanter.
Thanks to the use of a slow cooker, it is possible to easily make a rich vitamin drink that will be pleasant at any time of the year and suitable for the whole family.
How to cook compote in a slow cooker, see the following video.