Place the dried fruits in a large bowl and cover with 2 cups of boiling water. Let the fruit sit for about 1 hour, then drain. Place the fruit in a medium saucepan with the remaining ingredients, making sure the vanilla bean pod is scraped and the pod and seeds are added to the mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow mixture to simmer gently for 50 minutes to 1 hour. The fruit should be tender but not falling apart. Add more sugar or orange juice, to taste, if needed. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean pod.
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Refrigerate the compote in its syrup overnight before serving. Serve the compote chilled, with hot Pecan Waffles.
Yield: about 6 cups