Apricot Ginger Pear Parfaits

• 6 firm-ripe pears (3 pounds)
• 5 oz dried apricots (preferably California; 1 heaping cup)
• 4 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
• 4 (4- by 1-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
• 1 (3-inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 (8-ounce) container nonfat vanilla yogurt
• Garnish: diced fresh pear and dried apricot slivers
• Special equipment: a food mill fitted with medium disk

1. Peel 4 pears (2 pounds) and coarsely chop (including cores), then transfer to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan.
2. Add apricots, ginger, water, 2 tablespoons sugar, zest, cinnamon stick, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice and simmer, covered, until pears are very tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Discard cinnamon stick and force mixture through food mill into a bowl.
4. If desired, stir in up to 1 tablespoon additional sugar and cool sauce.
5. While sauce is cooling, peel, core, and finely dice (1/3 inch) remaining 2 pears (1 pound), then toss with remaining tablespoon lemon juice in a bowl.
6. Spoon 1/4 cup sauce into each of 6 (8-ounce) glasses and top each serving with 2 tablespoons diced pear.
7. Then spread 2 tablespoons yogurt in each glass and top with 2 more tablespoons diced pear and 1/4 cup sauce.

fresh ginger, water, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, lemon juice, vanilla yogurt, apricot slivers, mill

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/apricot-ginger-pear-parfaits-107611 (may not work)