Spiced Digestive Compote from Life After Birth

If there’s a recipe that your guts will love, this is it! When you need a little help getting things moving, this juicy, aromatic compote uses warming spices and fibre-rich fruit and vegetables to support your digestive system and help keep you regular.

This is great to eat right after you’ve had your baby, to help with your first postpartum poo. It’s also great for period-related sugar cravings, and for constipated little ones. Just be sure to remove the whole spices as they could be a choking hazard.

SERVES 4–8

Ingredients:

3 granny smith apples, peeled and chopped into 3 cm chunks
3 pears, peeled and chopped into 3 cm chunks
6–8 stalks rhubarb, leaves removed, stalks cut into 3 cm pieces
200 g (approx. 18) prunes, halved and stones removed
100 g (approx. 16) dried apricots, halved
50 g (13/4 oz/approx. 16) Chinese red dates (seedless)
thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 star anise
1 orange, juiced, rind peeled into thick ribbons
a few cloves, pushed into the orange rind

Method:

Place the fruit and spices in a large saucepan. Add the orange juice, rind and 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) water, and stir. The fruit won’t be fully covered but as everything cooks and reduces, it will slowly become submerged in its own juices.

Cook on high until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Press the pieces of fruit at the top down into the bubbling goodness.

Turn off the heat and leave for 10–15 minutes. The mixture will continue to soften as it cools.

Once cool, transfer to a glass container. Keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and freezes beautifully. Use on top of porridge, Oaty Goodness, or top with yoghurt and nuts. It’s OUTRAGEOUSLY good with Nepali Rice Pudding and yoghurt.