Simple Sundays | Goat Cheese with Blueberry Vanilla Compote

Where I live, there is that happy medium in the summer months that we hope for – too hot and we take shelter in our air conditioned homes, too cool and we run for our sweaters. But come evening, the fog rolls in and cools the valleys, and most nights are pleasant. It’s sleep-with-your-windows-open nice.

Perhaps my favorite part of this time of year is seeing our neighbors outdoors, working on their yards, walking their dogs, the children riding bikes. After an extended “Springter” (it almost feels like that wintery-spring season we experienced warrants its own name), it’s nice to spend time with our neighborhood friends again, to see everyone come out of hiding.

We’ve been enjoying impromptu gatherings on the block, and last weekend, we gathered on a beautiful summer evening, wine glasses in hand, the children toasting s’mores over the fire pit. I wanted to bring out something a little sweet yet a little savory – and this creamy ball of Sonoma goat cheese topped with a simple Blueberry Vanilla Compote was exactly what I was craving.

Blueberries are abundant now, so if you ever find yourself with more blueberries than you know what to do with, try this very easy compote. You can seriously make it in 15 minutes. It is perfect over goat cheese, yes, but it is equally lovely over ice cream, pancakes…or even by the spoonful.

Blueberry Vanilla Compote

Yield: Makes 1 cup.

So simple, you'll never buy bottled blueberry sauce again. Use fresh or frozen blueberries, both will work beautifully. Serve it over goat cheese, ice cream, yogurt, or pancakes (whatever strikes your fancy), for a taste of summer all year long.

Ingredients:

1 cup blueberries
1/4 cup apple juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, stir together blueberries, apple juice and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Stir in the vanilla. Allow the compote to cool before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Goat Cheese with Blueberry Vanilla Compote

INGREDIENTS

8 oz goat cheese
1 cup Blueberry Vanilla Compote
crackers for serving

METHOD

Using your hands, form the goat cheese into your desired shape (ball, log, etc.). Make certain the compote is completely chilled before pouring over the cheese. Serve with crackers and enjoy!

by Liren on July 24, 2011

30 Comments

« Previous Post

Maureen — July 24, 2011 @ 4:36 am (#
1
)

This is absolutely beautiful to look at and I’m sure it was devine to eat! You clever cookie!
Nelly Rodriguez — July 24, 2011 @ 5:54 am (#
2
)

I agree with Maureen, this looks gorgeous! I’ve always loved the combination of cheese and fruit preserves! Yum!
Mindy — July 24, 2011 @ 7:32 am (#
3
)

Um, yes please.
We go to our neighborhood farmer’s market every Sunday and I’m pretty sure I’ve decided where my dollars are going this week…..fresh blueberries and local goat cheese.
Elizabeth @ Saffron Lane — July 24, 2011 @ 10:14 am (#
4
)
I secretly wish I had some of this for breakfast this morning. Such a lovely, deep, inky color, too.
- Liren replied: — July 25th, 2011 @ 11:00 am
  
  That’s exactly how I feel, Elizabeth. I was just thinking yesterday how I wish I had more to enjoy for breakfast!
Kelly — July 24, 2011 @ 11:36 am (#
5
)

Your pictures are gorgeous, this looks delicious! :)
donotcallitbolognese — July 24, 2011 @ 11:46 am (#
6
)

Wow!! this is really beautiful and mouth watering! And I love the picture! Gorgeous.
Emily @ Life on Food — July 24, 2011 @ 11:52 am (#
7
)
I just went blueberry picking today and was hoping to find a good recipe to use some of them for. This looks delicious. I love goat cheese but I bet my husband will use it on ice cream. Both sound delicious to me!
- Liren replied: — July 25th, 2011 @ 11:04 am
  
  Oh, now that’s something I wish I could do. Not a lot of blueberry picking around here. Enjoy those sweet treasures. Sounds like your husband is a lot like mine :)
KC Quaretti — July 24, 2011 @ 11:58 am (#
8
)

Simply Delicious! I love the easy and uncomplicated preparation for this beautiful dish!
sara — July 24, 2011 @ 3:08 pm (#
9
)

This looks gorgeous! Goat cheese is so delicious with fruit. Love the idea of a blueberry compote paired with it.
sweet road — July 24, 2011 @ 3:31 pm (#
10
)

Sometimes I am attracted to certain foods because of their color, and other times I am attracted to foods because I know that I like them. This recipe is a combination of both! What could be better than cheese and beautiful berries?
Liz — July 24, 2011 @ 4:35 pm (#
11
)

WOW! That is one stunning dish! I can only imagine how delicious it tastes~
Sippitysup — July 24, 2011 @ 5:59 pm (#
12
)

Now. That’s a dessert. Sophisticated and not too sweet. GREG
Mindy — July 24, 2011 @ 8:16 pm (#
13
)
Made this tonight with our farmer’s market goodies. I put it over goat cheese and served it with fresh berries and a baguette. AMAZING. Can’t wait to eat it again tomorrow!
- Liren replied: — July 25th, 2011 @ 11:01 am
  
  I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it, Mindy! Thank you so much for letting me know :)
Ann — July 24, 2011 @ 9:05 pm (#
14
)

Wow! I love goat cheese -and to top it with something sweet…pure genius! Your photos are amazing and I’ve happily buzzed this one!
Julia — July 25, 2011 @ 6:18 am (#
15
)
I want to live on your block!!!! Wow, this looks just out of the world delicious!
- Liren replied: — July 25th, 2011 @ 11:03 am
  
  LOL! Wouldn’t that be fun? I could imagine how yummy a neighborhood full of food obsessed people might be. Imagine the block parties :)
leaf (the indolent cook) — July 25, 2011 @ 8:40 am (#
16
)

Oh my goodness. The compote is so gloriously shiny I want to lick it off the screen!
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen — July 25, 2011 @ 11:05 am (#
17
)

What a beautiful simple recipe! Love it
Valerie — July 26, 2011 @ 4:52 am (#
18
)

This recipe is totally made for me! Looks delicious…
roz — July 26, 2011 @ 6:28 am (#
19
)

Hi Liren, what a lovely, deep shade of blue in your lovely compote spilling over the soft cheese. I’d be in heaven with a bite of this. I’m saving it to add to my blueberry recipes to make. Thank you for sharing and also for the gorgeous photos!
Heidi @ Food Doodles — July 26, 2011 @ 10:23 am (#
20
)

That looks so delicious! Blueberries have to be one of my favorite berries :)
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts — July 26, 2011 @ 4:08 pm (#
21
)

That compote looks gorgeous! So shiny and pretty!
Cheryl — July 26, 2011 @ 6:53 pm (#
22
)

It sounded good when you told me about it, but the picture makes it a must try!! Can’t wait, I love the fresh and simple prep and ingrediants.
Ally — July 30, 2011 @ 8:40 am (#
23
)

I could eat this off my screen…gorgeeeeeous! And really easy…thanks!
Joy — August 2, 2011 @ 8:19 pm (#
24
)

The compote looks lovely.
Pingback: Goat Cheese with Blueberry Vanilla Compote « Hold The Gluten
Norma — September 10, 2011 @ 5:11 pm (#
25
)

I am catching up to my comments after being away for a month.

Liren this is just a beatiful shot and I cannot wait to try the compote.