The most delicious Fig Compote from Ina Garten!

ingredients
FIG COMPOTE:
2 teaspoons grated orange zest (2 oranges)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
3 3/4 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 pounds fresh ripe purple figs, stems removed and halved lengthwise
CHEESE BOARD WITH FIG COMPOTE:
1 recipe Fig Compote (recipe above)
dried apricots (to serve)
green grapes (to serve)
lemon leaves (to serve)
dried figs (to serve)
assorted gourmet crackers (to serve)
blue cheese wedge (to serve)
brie cheese wedge (to serve)
round camembert (to serve)
truffle pecorino wedge (to serve)
sharp cheddar cheese (to serve)
goat cheese (to serve)

directions
For the Fig Compote: Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don’t worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it’s right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it’s fine if they don’t. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.
Tip: Quarter the cheese wheels and put out 1/4 at a time so you can replenish throughout the party to keep your cheese board looking fresh!