Gewurztraminer Poached Fruits

A neighbor gave us a bunch of figs and I made this. Its a big recipe so be prepared to share or perhaps make it when you are expecting company. Its also very sweet so I would pour it over a very simple vanilla ice cream. It is truly delicious.

*I used triple the amount of figs because that is what I had in season. You can substitute any fruit for what is listed below

Gewurztraminer Poached Fruits

1-1/2 cups dry Gewurztraminer white wine
1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tsp finely minced lemon zest
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise (or substitute 1 tsp 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
Vanilla ice cream

Instructions
In heavy medium, wide saucepan, combine wine, water, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean (scrape vanilla bean seeds from inside and add to pan - it's the tiny, tasty, black flecks you want). Bring to rolling boil over high heat. Boil 3 minutes.

Add apple, pear, apricots, cherries and figs and return to low boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until fresh fruit is just tender, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 30 minutes.

If serving right away, heat mixture until warm and serve in large shallow soup bowls with small scoop of ice cream in center.

If making in advance, quickly cool mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be made 2 days in advance. Reheat before serving until just warm.)

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Credits
Recipe from: Author unknown