2000s Recipes + Menus

Poached Apricots in Vanilla-Thyme Syrup With Crème Fraîche

Serves4
  • Active time:10 min
  • Start to finish:15 min
May 2001
When buying fresh apricots, look for fruit that is plump, fragrant, and gives a little when squeezed. Poaching time depends on the ripeness of the fruit.
  • 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 (3- by 3/4-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
  • 2 large sprigs fresh thyme
  • 10 fresh apricots, halved and pitted (1 3/4 lb)
  • Accompaniment:

    crème fraîche
  • Scrape seeds from vanilla bean with tip of a sharp knife into a 2-quart saucepan and add pod, water, sugar, zest, and thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then add apricots and simmer, stirring once or twice, until tender, 2 to 6 minutes (depending on ripeness).
  • Spoon syrup over warm apricots in bowls and top with dollops of crème fraîche.
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