Amount
Ingredient
Preparation



3
cups
water





1
pound
fruit

dried (mixed pears, figs, apricots and peaches)



1
cup
prunes

pitted



1/2
cup
raisins





1
cup
cherries

sweet, pitted



2
each
apples

peeled and sliced



1/2
cup
cranberries





1
cup
sugar





1
each
lemon

sliced



6
each
cloves

whole



2
each
cinnamon sticks





1
each
orange





1/2
cup
grapes, seedless

pomegranate seeds, or pitted plums



3/4
cups
brandy

 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 simmer for about 2 minutes (or until the fruit is plump and tender). Add cherries, apples and cranberries. Stir in sugar, lemon and spices. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes.
  
Grate orange peel and set aside.  Peel and section the orange (removing the skin and white membrane).  Add to fruits in kettle. 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.
  
NOTE:  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