FIGS AND DRIED CHERRIES POACHED IN VANILLA-HONEY SYRUP WITH PISTACHIOS

Figs and Dried Cherries Poached in Vanilla-Honey Syrup with Pistachios image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
1 8-ounce package dried Calimyrna figs, stemmed, halved lengthwise
1/3 cup dried tart cherries (about 1 3/4 ounces)
3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt (optional)
3 tablespoons chopped unsalted natural pistachios

Steps:

Combine 2 cups water and sugar in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Stir in honey. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Add figs and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add dried tart cherries; cover and simmer until figs and dried cherries are tender, about 10 minutes longer. Transfer fig mixture to bowl. Chill until cold, about 3 hours. (Fig mixture can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.) Discard vanilla bean. Divide fig mixture among 6 bowls. Top each serving with dollop of yogurt, if desired. Sprinkle with pistachios.