We are fortunate to have a wide selection of really top quality dried fruit in South Africa and I love using them in stews and desserts, with roasts (particularly venison, chicken and duck) and as side dishes with curries.

For today's tasty dessert you can use a mixture of dried fruit or stay with just one or two. I am particularly fond of apricots (especially the 'hairless' smooth and soft variety), mangoes, peaches and pears.

One of the main flavours in this compote is fruit juice and again you can choose a flavour of your choice. I love pineapple juice for its sharpness and flavour, so that's what I will use today.

This compote is perfect for summer entertaining because it can be made well in advance.

If you are not serving this dessert to youngsters feel free to drop a little liqueur, brandy or fortified wine (just about a tablespoon) into the compote. It boosts the flavours as well as adds a little decadence.

To make this summer compote you need:

Ingredients

600g mixed dried smooth apricot, peach and pear

750ml pineapple or apple juice

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 tablespoon of liquor (optional)

2 sticks of cinnamon

Juice of ? lime or lemon

Method

Halve the dried fruit pieces and place in a sealable container.

Add the sugar, lemon or lime juice and cinnamon sticks.

Top up with the pineapple juice.

Leave a gap in the container or jar because the fruit swells up as it absorbs the fruit juice.

Leave overnight at room temperature.

You might need to top up with more fruit juice the next morning.

Refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

This compote tastes a treat with ice cream, custard, cream or yoghurt.

Note: If you don't add liquor to the compote you can also serve it for breakfast ? a lovely way to start a sunny day out on the patio.