Ingredients

1/4 cup brandy (optional), or apple juice 

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped 

8 pitted prunes 

12 dried apricot halves 

1/4 cup golden raisins 

Preparation

Place brandy, vanilla bean seeds and pod, prunes, apricots, and raisins in a medium saucepan with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer fruit until liquid is reduced by about three-quarters. Serve warm over hot cereal.