Honey-poached apricots

Ingredients

1 cup water
3 tbsp. honey
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
3/4 lb. fresh apricots, cut in half lengthwise and stones removed

Directions

Place water, honey, sugar and vanilla bean in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add apricots and return to a slow simmer. Cover and continue simmering until apricots are tender, but holding their shape, about 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove apricots from pan and place in a deep bowl. Boil syrup remaining in the pan until it reduces to about 1/2 cup. Pour hot syrup over apricots in the bowl. Chill to room temperature. Serve as a topping over pound cake or ice cream, or as a fruit compote topped with sweetened whipped cream.

Serves 8