When it comes to sweet and tangy flavors, few ingredients can rival the humble stalks of rhubarb. While often used in pies and tarts, rhubarb’s tartness and versatility make it a perfect candidate for a variety of sweet and savory dishes. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of stewed rhubarb, exploring 18 mouthwatering recipes that showcase its unique flavor profile.
From classic desserts to innovative twists on traditional recipes, these stewed rhubarb concoctions are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, there’s something for everyone in this collection of sweet and tangy treats. So, let’s get started and discover the endless possibilities of stewed rhubarb!
Classic Stewed Rhubarb with Vanilla
A sweet and tangy dessert that showcases the unique flavor of rhubarb, paired with the warmth of vanilla.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, and water.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil (about 5 minutes).
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender and the liquid has thickened slightly.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
5. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
Cooking Time: 20-22 minutes
Strawberry Rhubarb Compote
This sweet and tangy compote is a perfect combination of summer’s sweetness and tartness, making it a delicious topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– 1 cup fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, honey, lemon juice, and salt.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the fruit is tender and the liquid has thickened slightly.
4. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Ginger Infused Stewed Rhubarb
A sweet and tangy dessert that highlights the unique flavor of rhubarb, with a hint of warm ginger spice.
Ingredients:
– 2 pounds fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 2 inches fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly
– 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar, water, and ginger slices.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender and the liquid has reduced slightly.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Strain the solids and discard the ginger slices (or reserve for another use).
4. Serve warm or at room temperature, drizzled with honey if desired.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb and Apple Crumble
This sweet and tangy crumble combines the flavors of stewed rhubarb and apples with a crunchy oat topping, perfect for a cozy dessert or snack.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb rhubarb stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/4 cup rolled oats
– 1/4 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and the fruit is tender (about 20 minutes).
4. In a separate bowl, mix together rolled oats, brown sugar, and cold butter until crumbly.
5. Pour the stewed rhubarb mixture into a 9×9-inch baking dish. Top with the oat mixture.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
Cooking Time: 55-60 minutes
Orange Zest Stewed Rhubarb
Brighten up your day with this sweet and tangy rhubarb recipe, infused with the warmth of orange zest.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb fresh rhubarb stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons orange juice
– 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar, orange juice, and orange zest.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a simmer (about 5 minutes).
3. Reduce heat to low and stew for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender and the liquid has thickened slightly.
4. Remove from heat and stir in salt.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Cardamom Spiced Stewed Rhubarb
Experience the sweet and tangy fusion of Indian spices with this unique rhubarb recipe, perfect for a warm and cozy dessert or topping for yogurt or ice cream.
Ingredients:
– 2 lbs fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 2 whole green cardamom pods, crushed
– 1 tablespoon grated ginger
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar, and water.
2. Add crushed cardamom pods, grated ginger, and ground cinnamon.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes or until rhubarb is tender.
5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb with Honey and Cinnamon
A classic combination of sweet and tangy, this stewed rhubarb recipe is a perfect dessert or topping for yogurt or oatmeal. With the warmth of cinnamon and the richness of honey, this dish is sure to please.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup honey
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, honey, and cinnamon.
2. Add the water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender and the liquid has thickened slightly.
4. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Rhubarb and Raspberry Stewed Delight
Sweet and tangy, this stewed delight combines the tartness of rhubarb with the sweetness of raspberries for a unique and delicious dessert. Perfect for warm weather when fresh fruit is at its best.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb and sugar.
2. Add water and lemon juice; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rhubarb is tender.
4. Stir in raspberries and continue to simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until berries have broken down and the mixture has thickened slightly.
5. Remove from heat; let cool slightly before serving.
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb and Pear Parfait
A sweet and tangy twist on a classic dessert, this Stewed Rhubarb and Pear Parfait is perfect for springtime. The tender rhubarb and pears are cooked in a lightly spiced syrup, then layered with whipped cream and crunchy biscotti for a delightful treat.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 2 ripe pears (such as Bartlett or Anjou), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup heavy whipping cream
– 6-8 biscotti, broken into pieces
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, pears, sugar, water, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the fruit is tender.
3. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
4. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
5. Layer cooked rhubarb and pear mixture with whipped cream and biscotti pieces in a parfait glass or tall clear cup.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Coconut Milk Stewed Rhubarb
This sweet and tangy stewed rhubarb recipe combines the natural tartness of rhubarb with the creamy richness of coconut milk, creating a deliciously unique dessert.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup coconut milk
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb is tender and the mixture is syrupy (about 10-12 minutes).
3. Stir in the coconut milk and honey.
4. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened slightly.
5. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Cooking Time: 15-18 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb with Lavender
This sweet and tangy stewed rhubarb recipe is elevated by the subtle floral notes of lavender, perfect for serving as a dessert or topping yogurt or oatmeal.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, and water.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the lavender buds and lemon juice.
4. Let it steep for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding the solids.
Cooking Time: 40-50 minutes
Maple Glazed Stewed Rhubarb
Elevate your rhubarb game with this simple yet impressive dessert recipe. Sweet and tangy, the maple glaze perfectly balances the tartness of the rhubarb.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb is tender and the liquid has evaporated (about 10-12 minutes).
3. Stir in maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt.
4. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the glaze is caramelized and bubbly.
6. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb and Blueberry Sauce
This sweet and tangy sauce combines the tartness of rhubarb with the sweetness of blueberries, perfect for topping yogurt, oatmeal, or using as a glaze for meats or cheeses.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1 cup fresh blueberries
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons water
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Pinch of salt
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rhubarb and blueberries.
2. Add the sugar, water, lemon juice, and salt. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the fruit has broken down and the sauce has thickened slightly.
4. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Rosemary Infused Stewed Rhubarb
A sweet and savory twist on traditional rhubarb recipes, this rosemary infused stewed rhubarb dish is perfect for a warm summer evening. The subtle bitterness of the rhubarb pairs perfectly with the earthy flavor of rosemary.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb fresh rhubarb stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 2 cups granulated sugar
– 1 cup water
– 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary, chopped
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine the rhubarb, sugar, and water.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rhubarb is tender.
3. Stir in the chopped rosemary and lemon juice.
4. Continue to simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the flavors have melded together.
5. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb and Peach Cobbler
Combine the tartness of rhubarb with the sweetness of peaches for a delightful dessert that’s perfect for warm weather gatherings. This cobbler is easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 2 ripe peaches, diced
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
– 1 cobbler crust (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine rhubarb, peaches, sugar, flour, and salt. Mix well.
3. Pour in heavy cream and mix until the fruit is coated.
4. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Roll out the cobbler crust to fit the top of the baking dish. Place on top of the fruit mixture.
6. Drizzle with melted butter.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Cooking Time: 40-45 minutes
Balsamic Stewed Rhubarb
Transform sweet and tart rhubarb into a rich and flavorful dessert with this simple balsamic stewed rhubarb recipe.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh or frozen rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
– 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb begins to soften (about 5 minutes).
2. Add balsamic vinegar, butter, and water. Stir until the butter is melted.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes or until the rhubarb is tender and the liquid has thickened slightly.
4. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or as a topping for yogurt or oatmeal.
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Stewed Rhubarb with Mint and Lime
Rhubarb’s tartness is perfectly balanced by the freshness of mint and lime in this simple yet flavorful stew. Perfect as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or even using as a sauce for meats or cheeses.
Ingredients:
– 2 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup water
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
– Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
– Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine rhubarb, sugar, and water.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rhubarb is tender.
3. Stir in mint leaves and lime juice.
4. Season with salt to taste.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Pineapple and Stewed Rhubarb Chutney
A sweet and tangy chutney that combines the flavors of pineapple and stewed rhubarb, perfect for serving alongside grilled meats or as a condiment for cheeses.
Ingredients:
– 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
– 2 cups fresh rhubarb stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, combine pineapple chunks, rhubarb pieces, sugar, vinegar, and salt.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the chutney has thickened and the flavors have melded together.
4. Remove from heat and stir in water.
5. Let cool before transferring to an airtight container.
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
Summary
Get ready to indulge in the sweet and tangy world of stewed rhubarb! This article presents 18 mouthwatering recipes that showcase the versatility of this beloved ingredient. From classic vanilla-infused stews to innovative combinations with strawberries, ginger, and cardamom, there’s something for every palate. Try your hand at making a strawberry-rhubarb compote or a rhubarb-apple crumble, or opt for more unique flavor profiles like coconut milk stewed rhubarb or rosemary-infused stewed rhubarb. Whether you’re a sweet tooth or a savory fan, these recipes are sure to delight!
