Remove pits if present. Place the fruit in a small bowl and cover with the water. Transfer to the refrigerator for about 4 hours or until the fruit is completely rehydrated. Once reconstituted, remove the fruit from the water, and the fruit can be used to sweeten recipes like smoothies, dressings, etc.

To make a paste-like consistency, soak the dried fruit until rehydrated or until quite soft. Strain and reserve the liquid. Transfer the fruit to a high-speed blender and process until smooth. If adding the vanilla bean, scrape the seeds from the pod and add them to the blender as well. Also, note that vanilla extract can be used, but the vanilla bean not only adds beautiful flavor, but nice flecks of vanilla, too.

Add the reserved liquid as needed to adjust the fruit paste to your desired consistency. If using the paste in baked recipes, use as little liquid as possible because if the paste is runny, it may add excess moisture to the recipe and negatively affect the finished product.

This mixture will keep for over a week, covered and refrigerated. Alternatively, it can be frozen for several months. It will not freeze solid which facilitates scooping out exact amounts without thawing the entire batch.

Note: For a different flavor profile, add a pinch of sea salt or ground spice, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove or cardamom, along with a bit of fresh lemon juice.

Any leftover soaking liquid can be used in cooking, if desired.