Red-Fruit Summer Pudding

Put strawberries, cherries, plums, brown sugar, salt, vanilla bean and seeds, lemon juice, and water into a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, gently stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook until fruits release juices and are just soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in raspberries and Cointreau.

Pour fruit mixture through a sieve into a shallow bowl, pressing lightly on solids; discard vanilla bean. Transfer fruit mixture to another bowl. Set both aside.

Line a 9-inch bowl with plastic wrap, allowing a 3-inch overhang. Working one at a time, quickly dip bread slices into juices, flipping to coat both sides; arrange in prepared bowl, covering bottom and sides completely and trimming to fit if needed. Spread with 1 cup fruit mixture, and then top with more dipped bread. Repeat, using 1 1/2 cups fruit mixture between layers and finishing with bread.

Cover with plastic overhang. Top with a plate small enough to fit just inside rim, and weigh with soup cans. Refrigerate overnight (or up to 2 days). Unmold pudding onto a platter; remove plastic wrap. Garnish with fruits.