Figs and Dried Cherries Poached In Vanilla-Honey Syrup with Pistachios

ingredients

• 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 3 1/2 tablespoons)
• 3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt (optional)
• 3 tablespoons chopped unsalted natural pistachios

directions

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.