Spiced Ambrosia

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 (1- to 2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 3 black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 10 navel oranges, peeled and sectioned
• 1 (8-oz.) can pineapple tidbits in juice
• 3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1/4 cup maraschino cherries with stems

Preparation

1. Bring first 6 ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
2. Cover and let stand 30 minutes. Pour syrup through a wire-mesh strainer into a small bowl, discarding ginger and spices. Cool completely; chill.
3. Combine sectioned oranges and pineapple in a large bowl. Gently stir in chilled syrup. Spoon fruit and syrup into individual dessert dishes. Sprinkle with coconut, and top with cherries.
4. Make-Ahead Note: Prepare fruit. Seal in a zip-top freezer bag, and refrigerate overnight. Cover and chill ginger syrup overnight. Combine fruit and syrup before serving.