Pear or apple compote

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 kg pear(s) or apples, sweet but not soft
• some white wine
• 6 egg yolks
• possibly rice flour
• Saffron
• Cinnamon
• Sugar
• e.g. butter
• coriander
• cardamom

Instructions

Working time approx. 30 minutes; Total time approx. 30 minutes

from a medieval Latin manuscript

Peel and core the fruit, cut into pieces, and cook in a little white wine until soft. Then puree the fruit. When the mixture has cooled, add the egg yolks and the saffron dissolved in a little water. Then add a pinch of cinnamon, coriander, and cardamom. (If you prefer a less savory dish, substitute two tablespoons of rice flour for two of the six eggs.) Bring the compote back to a boil briefly, divide it between bowls, and let it cool. To serve, make a mixture of sugar, cinnamon, coriander, and cardamom and sprinkle it over the compote. Finally, drizzle with melted butter.