Asian Pears With Vanilla Poached Kumquats

Gourmet | november 2001

Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into water with lime juice in a small heavy saucepan , then add pod , sugar , and a pinch of salt.

Bring to a boil , stirring until sugar is dissolved , then simmer 3 minutes.

Add kumquats and simmer , covered , until they just begin to soften , 3 to 4 minutes.

Put pears in a heatproof bowl.

Pour kumquats and syrup over pears and toss gently , then cool.

Chill fruit , covered , at least 2 hours.

vanilla bean, water, fresh lime juice, sugar, kumquat, asian pears