Basic Fruit Compote

Another recipe from the book 'Joie de Vivre' by Robert Arbor

3 pieces large fruit such as pear, apple or peach - if using apricots, figs or plums, double the amount
Butter, a thumb size chunk
Juice of half a lemon
1 vanilla bean, split with insides scraped out
1 cup sugar, or to taste

Peel the fruit, remove cores, and cut into half-inch chunks
Melt butter in skillet and add fruit. Add lemon juice and vanilla bean scrapings to the butter mixture. Add half cup of sugar.
Cook on very low heat, covered, just until the fruit is tender. Do not brown. Add more sugar as needed. Kep in covered glass jar in the fridge.