Until I received my copy of Share: the Cookbook (Kyle Books, May 2013), i was totally unfamiliar with Women for Women International an organization that helps 'women survivors of war rebuild their lives'. Their work inspired Share: the Cookbook.

It is actually more than a cookbook as before the recipes from a certain country, we get a personal story and facts such as population, conflicts, GDP. 

Recipe I chose today comes from Kosovo and is preceded by Sijbije's story.

Cherry compote

Prepare 15 minutes, plus 1 week maturing
Cook 5 minutes
Makes about 750g

200ml brandy
75g caster sugar
500g cherries, pitted

1 Pour the brandy into a small saucepan over a low heat. Add the sugar and 75ml water. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved.

2 Meanwhile, pack the cherries into a large sterilised glass jar. Pour the warm brandy liquid over the cherries, making sure the fruit is totally submerged in the alcohol. Seal and store in a cool dark place for a week to allow the flavours to develop, then store in the fridge and use within 2 months. Serve either at room temperature or gently warmed in a pan and spooned over vanilla ice cream.

(* Recipe from 'Share the Cookbook'- Kyle Books USA, June 2013- reproduced with permission)