Ingredients

  • 2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
  • 5 cups apple cider or juice
  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 pounds tart green apples, peeled, cored, sliced 1/4 inch thick
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
  • 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
  • 4 large pitted dates, quartered

Method

  • Set strainer over medium bowl.
  • Line strainer with double layer of cheesecloth.
  • Place yogurt in strainer.
  • Refrigerate overnight.
  • Discard liquid that drains out.
  • Boil 4 cups cider in medium saucepan until reduced to 1/2 cup thin syrup, about 30 minutes.
  • Cool.
  • Stir 3 tablespoons into thickened yogurt.
  • Re-serve remaining syrup.
  • Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add apples, 1 tablespoon sugar and lemon juice; saute until golden, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer apples to medium bowl.
  • Add 2 cups water, cloves, orange peel, cinnamon, 1 cup apple cider and 4 tablespoons sugar to same skillet.
  • Boil until reduced to 2/3 cup, about 20 minutes.
  • Strain.
  • Discard solids.
  • Return liquid and apples to skillet; add dates.
  • Simmer 3 minutes.
  • Cool.
  • (Can be made 4 hours ahead.
  • Chill yogurt cheese; store compote at room temperature.)
  • Place heaping spoonful of yogurt cheese in center of each bowl.
  • Surround with apples.
  • Drizzle with reserved syrup.