Italian style Figs poached in Marsala wine & served with Mascarpone cheese

This is another  one of those simple summer recipes that can be made in advance. Delicious served with a good strong Italian Coffee the Mascarpone cheese has an amazing texture and creamy flavor and  I love the sweet  caramel overtones of the Marsala  complemented by the full flavor of the fig. Best served warm but can be stored in an airtight kilner jar in the fridge, that is if you can resist them that long.

Ingredients

6 ripe figs
250ml Marsala wine
125ml white wine
75g sugar
1 vanilla pod, split
200g mascarpone cheese

Method

1 Cut the figs in half and place them in a non-metallic container.

2 In a small, heavy-based saucepan mix together the Marsala and white wine with the sugar and vanilla pod.

3 Bring to the boil, then take off the heat. Allow to cool before pouring over the figs.

4 Place in the fridge, covered, for 24 hours.

5 Drain the juices from the figs. Bring to the boil in a saucepan and continue to boil until the juice has reduced by half.

6 Place three pieces of fig on each serving plate and drizzle with the warm juice.

7 Take 2 tspn and carefully place three quenelles (egg-shaped spoonfuls) of mascarpone between the figs. Serve immediately