BHA & BHT Free Mediterranean Tomato, Olive & Berry Compote
This compote is one of those unexpected combinations that somehow makes complete sense the moment it hits your tongue — sweet-tart berries, briny Kalamata olives, and juicy cherry tomatoes all cooked down into a glossy, jammy sauce with warm turmeric and fresh thyme running through it. The whole thing comes together in a single saucepan, starting with golden-edged garlic in olive oil and finishing with a bright hit of lemon juice and honey stirred in off the heat. Avoiding BHA and BHT can be tricky with jarred sauces, condiments, and packaged olive products that sneak in preservatives as a matter of course — but here every ingredient is whole, fresh, or minimally processed, so you stay completely clear of those additives without any label-reading stress. The turmeric gives the compote a gorgeous, earthy depth that plays beautifully against the natural acidity of the tomatoes and berries. Torn fresh basil scattered over the top right before serving adds a fragrant, herby lift that ties the Mediterranean flavors together. Spoon it warm over grilled fish, crusty bread, or a bowl of creamy grains and it instantly feels like a dish you'd order at a sun-drenched coastal restaurant.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
- 1 cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- salt, to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, torn (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and just beginning to turn golden at the edges, about 1–2 minutes. Watch closely, as garlic can brown quickly.
- 2
Add the cherry tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and release their juices, about 4–5 minutes.
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