FRUIT SALADS, POACHED FRUIT, COMPOTES, AND BAKED APPLES

THE SIMPLEST FRUIT DESSERT IS A RIPE PEAR or peach enjoyed as is without embellishment. When the fruit is not perfectly ripe or when something slightly more elaborate is desired, the fruit can be cooked and/or sugared.

This chapter focuses on desserts where fruit is on its own, usually with some sort of syrup or sauce, but without pastry or other flour-based crusts or toppings. This includes everything from a simple fruit salad (where the fruit is not cooked, but sugared to form a light sauce) to baked fruit, grilled fruit, fruit compote (made by simmering dried fruits in syrup), and poached fruit.