Strawberry Cardamom Compote with Lime

Posted on 28 February 2013

I clearly gave up too much for Lent.

Why did I think it was a good idea to sacrifice multiple things for 46 days?! 6 1/2 weeks?! Madness or stupidity? I’m still not sure.

Diet Coke: This one seemed easy. And was (somewhat) easy. Until the morning of day 3 when I didn’t have any caffeine. It was ugly. Hello, addiction. I got back on that wagon right quick, courtesy of some flavored green tea.
Bread: This one is an entire category! A category! Sandwich bread, pita bread, naan…and tortillas! Apparently, I eat a LOT of tortillas. I have had to resort to eating salads for lunch; I disgust myself with all the vegetables.
Sweets: Another whole category! No desserts, no chocolate, no candy! I am shouting from lack of sugar! Sugar is one of the major food groups! I need my sucrose!!!

My friends have predicted that I will lose weight. They are wrong. As a result of #2, I overcompensate by loading up on other, allowable carbs, including cheesy rice, cheesy pasta, and cheesy popcorn. The last is arguably my most egregious crutch.

But I do have an acceptable virtuous substitute in place to manage #3. I grew up eating Indian-style yogurt, which is very similar to Greek yogurt, but far more sour. It is traditionally consumed at the end of the meal.

I now save up my little yogurt with fruit to enjoy at the end of dinner, as if it were a proper dessert.It’s creamy and sweet and I can almost convince myself that it’s a treat.

Look, this is what I have been reduced to. Please humor this poor sugar-deprived Lent-observing bordering-on-lunacy person over here. It’s been a rough few weeks.

Today, I knew I had to kick it up a notch if I was to endure through March 31st. Inspired by two 2-year-old jam recipes and with leftover strawberries from a weekend preserving frenzy, I concocted a lovely luscious yogurt topping. Even better, it’s quick and super simple so I can whip up a fresh batch — with variations — every day.

I may make it yet!

Strawberry Cardamom Compote with Lime

Yield: 1 1/4 cups

Ingredients

1 cup strawberries, chopped into quarters

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon cardamom

1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Instructions

Place strawberries in a small pot. Mix in sugars, cardamom, lime zest, and lime juice. Cook over high heat, stirring often, for 4 minutes or until strawberries are softened. Remove from heat.

Once cool, serve over yogurt (or a real dessert).

https://www.allfourburners.com/2013/02/28/strawberry-cardamom-compote-with-lime/

Adapted from Bon Appetit