by Peg Lewis

Created on: July 17, 2008   Last Updated: July 18, 2008

Whole-Fruit Multi-Purpose Sauce

This is a healthy, easy, delicious fruit dish that can be made in 10 minutes with ingredients from your freezer and shelf. It is versatile: take a look at the Serving Suggestions to see the many ways it can be used. You might want to double it so you don't run out! The use of a small amount of sugar is not nearly as unhealthy as consuming artificial sweeteners. If you would rather avoid sugar, try stevia - follow the directions on the package.

Ingredients

1 bag (or 4 cups) frozen rhubarb
1 bag (or 4 cups) frozen peaches, cut into cubes about the size of the rhubarb
2 T water
3 T sugar or to taste (see intro for thoughts on alternatives)

Place the rhubarb in a saucepan and add the water. Simmer on very low heat until nearly boiling. You want the rhubarb to retain its shape but be completely tender. Gently stir in the peaches, then stir in the sugar, being careful not to break up the fruit. Let it sit, covered, until the peaches are thawed, then refrigerate. Delicious by itself, or try one of the serving suggestions:

Serving Suggestions

1. Spoon over ice cream.
2. Serve in a bowl with a bit of cream, whipped or straight from the bottle, on top.
3. Make into a cobbler: Mix 1 cup flour, 2 T sugar, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 c milk. Spoon over simmering fruit mixture, cover, and simmer for about 15 min or until dough is cooked through.
4. Serve over hot cereal, with or without milk or cream.
5. Add to pot roast half-way through cooking.
6. Serve warm with pork chops.
7. In a baking dish, arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, cover with mixture, then bake as usual.

Variation

Substitute frozen blueberries for an equal measure of peaches.

Learn more about this author, Peg Lewis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.