Asian Pears with Vanilla-Poached Kumquats

• 1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 lb kumquats (20), ends trimmed, sliced crosswise 1/3 inch thick, and seeded
• 3 lb Asian pear (4 large), peeled, cored, and sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick

1. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into water with lime juice in a small heavy saucepan, then add pod, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
2. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then simmer 3 minutes.
3. Add kumquats and simmer, covered, until they just begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Put pears in a heatproof bowl.
5. Pour kumquats and syrup over pears and toss gently, then cool.
6. Chill fruit, covered, at least 2 hours.

vanilla bean, water, lime juice, sugar, kumquats, asian pear

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/asian-pears-with-vanilla-poached-kumquats-105749 (may not work)