Recipe for "wigilia-13"

NAME

     WIGILIA-13 - 12-fruit compote with spirits
     This recipe could be used as part of a 12 course meal  known
     in Polish as Wigilia, or on its own.  Wigilia is eaten after
     sundown on Christmas Eve.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 12)

     750 ml    water
     500 g     mixed dried  fruit  (pears,  figs,  apricots,  and
               peaches)
     150 g     pitted prunes
     75 g      raisins
     200 g     pitted sweet cherries
     2         apples, peeled and sliced
     50 g      cranberries
     200 g     sugar
     1         lemon, sliced
     6         whole cloves
     2         cinnamon sticks
     1         orange
     100 g     grapes, pomegranate seeds, or pitted plums
     200 ml    brandy

PROCEDURE

          (1)  Combine  water,  mixed  dry  fruits,  prunes,  and
               raisins  in  a  pot  large  enough to hold all the
               ingredients.  Bring to a boil, cover and then sim-
               mer  for  about  20  inutes (or until the fruit is
               plump and tender).
          (2)  Add cherries, apples, and  cranberries.   Stir  in
               sugar,  lemon,  and  spices.  Cover and simmer for
               about 5 minutes.
          (3)  Grate orange peel and set aside.  Peel and section
               the orange (removing the skin and white membrane).
               Add to fruits in kettle.
          (4)  Stir in grapes and brandy.  Bring just to  boiling
               and  then  remove  from  heat.  Stir in the orange
               peel, cover and let stand 15 minutes.

RATING

     Difficulty: easy.  Time: 1  hour.   Precision:  No  need  to
     measure.

CONTRIBUTOR

     Original recipe passed down through the generations and
     translated from Polish into English (with a few mods) by
     Edward Chrzanowski
     MFCF, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
     echrzanowski@watmath.waterloo.edu  or {ihnp4,allegra,utzoo}!watmath!echrzanowski