Peaches Poached in Vanilla Syrup

Ingredients
1 ½ cups sugar
Several 2 inch pieces lemon zest, removed with a vegetable peeler
½ vanilla bean
4-6 ripe but firm peaches

Directions
Bring 1 quart water to a boil with the sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla bean.  Stir to dissolve the sugar, and then lower the heat to a simmer.
Cut the peaches in half and remove the pit.  Add them directly to the simmering syrup.  Cook gently until they are soft, anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes.  Remove them with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
Scrape the seeds of the vanilla bean into the syrup and pour the syrup over the peaches, along with the vanilla bean.  Later you can dry it and use it to flavor sugar.  Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Serves:  4-6

Recipe by:  Deborah Madison, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, Broadway Books, New York, NY, 1997.