Serves 4

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
1/2 vanilla bean split lengthwise
1/4 cup fresh blood orange juice
3 cups fresh fruit, like black berries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas

Accompaniment: plain yogurt or vanilla bean ice cream

Method:

Combine sugar and water in a heavy medium saucepan. Spit vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds into saucepan and add bean. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and boil for one minute, remove from heat and cool. Transfer to another bowl and remove vanilla bean. Reduce blood orange juice by half over medium heat. Add reduced juice to syrup. Cover and chill until cool at least one hour or over night.

When ready to serve pour syrup over fruit and serve.

Chef's tip: The syrup can be made one day ahead. As always use as many organic ingredients available for optimum flavor and health.