Poached Cherries

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 vanilla bean
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 lemon, zest of, pared (no white pith)
• 1 tablespoon strained fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/4 lbs cherries, pitted

Directions

1. 1

   Combine the water, sugar, vanilla bean, and lemon zest in a medium saucepan.

2. 2

   Place over low heat and stir until sugar dissolves.

3. 3

   Raise the heat to high and bring the syrup to a boil.

4. 4

   Stir in the fruit and the lemon juice.

5. 5

   Cover the fruit with a lid slightly smaller than the diameter of the saucepan.

6. 6

   This will keep the fruit submerged in the syrup.

7. 7

   Reduce the heat to low and cook about 8 minutes.

8. 8

   Allow the fruit to cool in the syrup, still covered, to room temperature.

9. 9

   Transfer to a serving bowl, cover and chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

10. 10

    To serve:.

11. 11

    May be served as is, garnished with whipped cream.

12. 12

    Or use as a garnish for cakes, filling for crepes or as an ice cream topping.