Though you could certainly use regular red cherries in this recipe, we prefer yellow cherries such as Royal Ann or Rainier, available in supermarkets, for their lovely yellow color, as well as their bright flavor and mild sweetness.
Ingredients
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
5 fresh bay leaves, halved lengthwise, or 2 large dried California bay leaves
2 (3- by 1-inch) strips fresh lemon zest
2 (3- by 1-inch) strips fresh orange zest
6 fresh apricots
1 lb fresh cherries (preferably Royal Ann or Rainier)
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups plain yogurt (preferably Greek)
Accompaniment: maple granola brittle
Directions
Simmer sugar, water, bay leaves, and zests in a 1-quart heavy saucepan 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep 20 minutes. While syrup steeps, halve apricots lengthwise and remove pits. Run a paring knife crosswise around each cherry, touching pit, then twist cherry halves to separate. Remove pits with tip of knife. Toss apricots and cherries with lemon juice in a large shallow bowl. Return syrup to a boil, then pour over fruit, tossing to coat. Cover and let stand, stirring occasionally, at least 30 minutes. Put 1/3 cup yogurt on each of 6 plates and serve with fruit.
