Gewurztraminer Poached Fruit

Apples, pears, apricots, cherries, and figs are poached in a wine sauce spiced with vanilla and cinnamon. Perfect served over ice cream or shortcake.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups dry white wine (Gewurztraminer recommended)
1/4 cup water
1 cup white granulated sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (may substitute 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
1 large crisp apple, unpeeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large firm pear, unpeeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
6 dried apricot halves, cut in half
1/2 cup dried sour cherries
3 whole dried dark figs, cut into quarters
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Vanilla ice cream or shortcake, optional

Preparation:
Place wine, water, sugar, lemon zest, and cinnamon stick in a medium heavy saucepan. Scrape the tiny black seeds from the inside of the vanilla bean into the pot and toss the bean pod in as well. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat and cook for 3 minutes.
 
Add apples, pears, apricots, cherries, and figs to the syrup. Return to the boil, lower heat, and simmer about 2 minutes, until fruit is barely tender. Remove from heat, stir in nutmeg, and let rest for 30 minutes.

Serve warm over vanilla ice cream or shortcake.

The wine-poached fruit may be made up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then heat gently just until warm.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings