Grilled Peaches with Vin Santo and Anise Biscotti

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Place sugar in small bowl. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; stir to blend. (Reserve bean for another use.) Place mascarpone cheese in another small bowl; stir in 2 tablespoons vanilla sugar.

   Step 2

   Do Ahead: Vanilla sugar and mascarpone mixture can be made ahead. Store vanilla sugar airtight at room temperature up to 1 month. Cover and refrigerate mascarpone mixture up to 2 days.

   Step 3

   Prepare barbecue (medium heat) and preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly brush cut sides of peach halves with oil. Grill peach halves, cut side down, until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes. Place peach halves, cut side up, in 13x9-inch glass baking dish.

   Step 4

   Bring Vin Santo to boil in small saucepan. Spoon 1/2 cup Vin Santo over peaches, then sprinkle with 3 tablespoons vanilla sugar. Bake peaches until tender, about 15 minutes. Boil remaining 3/4 cup Vin Santo in pan until reduced to 3 tablespoons, about 4 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted.

   Step 5

   Transfer 1 peach half to each of 4 plates. Spoon dollop of mascarpone mixture alongside. Drizzle reduced Vin Santo over and serve warm or at room temperature with Anise Biscottiepi:recipelink.</epi:recipelink>

2. Step 6

   *Italian cream cheese; available at many supermarkets and Italian markets.