figs and dried cherries poached in vanilla-honey syrup with pistachios

As promised, here is the recipe for the fig & cherry dessert I made for our Supper Club this past weekend. I've never made this type of dessert so I was a bit nervous that a) it wouldn't turn out or b) it would be disgusting, so I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out as declicious as it did. Everyone loved it and I will definitely be making it again (especially since it is so easy).

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

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

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.

recipe courtesy of epicurious.com