Dried Fruit Compote

1 pound	mixed dried fruit	450 - 500 gm
4 cups	water	1 litre
5 tablespoons	sugar	75 ml
a few	thin strips of orange peel
a few	thin strips of lemon peel
2 slices	lemon
1	cinnamon stick
2	whole cloves
1 tablespoon	potato flour or corn starch	15 ml
½ cup	cold water	125 ml
	clean, empty jam jar or mayonnaise jar, with lid

Place dried fruit in large pot with 4 cups (1 litre) water, cover, and let stand for several hours, overnight, if possible. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer over low heat until fruit is tender, about 30 - 60 minutes. If necessary add more water.

In clean, empty jar, pour in ½ cup (125 ml) cold water and potato flour/corn starch. Shake well, until all starch is dissolved. Add to cooked fruit, bring to a boil for one minute, stirring occasionally. Place in serving bowl, cover with plastic film and let cool.

Serve cold with whipped cream or over ice cream.