Honeyed Fig Topping With Vanilla and Cinnamon

From the March 2000 edition of Cook's Illustrated, a delicious topping for Perfect Oatmeal (posted separately) and almost anything else.

• Ready In: 5 mins
• Yields: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 5  ounces dried figs, each fig quartered and stemmed (about 1 cup)
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons honey
• 1⁄8 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Bring figs, honey, 1 ½ tablespoons water, vanilla, and cinnamon to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until liquid reduces to glaze, about 4 minutes.
2. Spoon a portion over individual bowls of hot oatmeal (or yogurt or farina or whatever you might choose); serve immediately.