Apricot And Mint Fish Food

APRICOT-MINT SOURS

Steps:

• For the sour mix: Mix together the lemon juice, simple syrup and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
• For the apricot-mint sours: Muddle the sugar and mint leaves in a pitcher. Add the sour mix, gin and apricot nectar and mix until combined.
• Serve in rocks glasses over crushed ice and garnish with mint sprigs and an apricot wedge if using.

APRICOT MINT CHIMICHURRI

Steps:

• Place the apricots and 1 teaspoon honey in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak the apricots for 10 minutes to plump. Remove the apricots from the hot water and roughly chop.
• In a food processor, combine the mint, parsley, cilantro, vinegar, lemon zest and juice, garlic, adobo sauce, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, red pepper, remaining tablespoon honey and olive oil and pulse until finely chopped. Add the rehydrated apricots and pulse until the consistency resembles a thick chunky sauce. Cover and store in the refrigerator to allow flavors to come together and serve with grilled meats.

MINTED APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan bring water, oil, honey, and cumin to a boil and stir in couscous. Immediately remove pan from heat and let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Seed cucumber and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Pit apricots and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in cucumber, apricots, mint, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or chilled.

WHOLE FISH WITH MINT

Steps:

• Place a wire rack in the bottom of a roasting pan and add an inch of water to the pan. Place pan on the stove over two burners and bring water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, rinse and dry the fish inside and out. Place on a heat-safe platter and stuff the cavity with half the ginger, scallions, and chile pepper, all the garlic, and 4 sprigs mint. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Top fish with remaining ginger, scallions, and chile pepper, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Transfer platter to preparedpan. Cover tightly with foil and steamuntil opaque throughout, about15 minutes. Carefully lift platterfrom pan, retaining the juices.
• Meanwhile, combine lime juice and oil in a medium-size bowl. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, and add remaining mint and the basil leaves. Toss to coat the herbs.
• Place herb mixture on top of the fish and serve immediately.

STEAMED MINT FISH

Steps:

• Make a fine paste of ginger, garlic, green chillies, 1 tsp lemon juice, cilantro and mint leaves.
• Mix well 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp olive oil, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and a pinch of salt and season the fish fillets with this mixture.
• After 5-6 mins, Coat the fishes with the paste well and wrap each piece in the banana leaves and tie with twines or aluminium foil papers can also be used. Keep them in a steam pan for 20 mins.
• Serve with sliced onions and cucumbers seasoned with lemon juice, pepper and salt (optional).

ALMOND-APRICOT CHICKEN WITH MINT PESTO

Steps:

• To Prepare The Chicken
• 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut a slit in one side of each chicken breast to create a pocket about 4 inches long.
• 2. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the almonds with the goat cheese and apricots. Stuff each breast with one quarter of the mixture. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• 3. On a plate, combine the breadcrumbs and the remaining 1/4 cup almonds. Dip each breast into the beaten egg, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture.
• 4. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to the oven; bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Serve hot with the mint pesto on the side.
• To Prepare The Mint Pesto
• 1. In a food processor, combine the mint and almonds; process until finely chopped.
• 2. With the motor running, gradually pour the olive oil through the feed tube. Season with salt. Keep at room temperature until ready to serve. Store leftover pesto in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; let it come to room temperature before serving.

ROAST LAMB STUFFED WITH APRICOT & MINT

Steps:

• Lay the lamb, skin-side down, on a board - if the joint you bought is tied up, then snip the strings and unroll it. Cut several pieces of string long enough to tie around the lamb, then slide them under the joint so they're regularly spaced out. Mix the stuffing ingredients together, and season well. Spread the stuffing out along the middle of the lamb, then fold the meat over to form a roll. Tie the string so the roll stays together, but don't make it too tight or it will cut into the meat. Tie some string lengthways too, if necessary.
• Heat oven to 170C/150C fan/gas 3. Season the lamb evenly all over. Heat a little oil in a large frying pan, then brown the lamb all over. Start with the side where the seam meets, as this will stop the lamb breaking up when you carve it.
• Tip the veg, garlic and rosemary into a roasting tin and put the lamb on top, seam-side down. Cook the lamb until the core temperature reaches 60C on a meat thermometer - this should take around 1 hr for a 2kg leg. As you rest the lamb, the temperature will continue to rise so don't overcook it.
• Lift the lamb out of the tin and, keeping it warm, rest for up to an hour. Put the roasting tin on the hob. Add the stock, bring to a simmer, then tip the lot into a saucepan, scraping up any bits. Add 500ml water and then simmer again until reduced by half. Pour through a fine sieve and serve with the lamb.

CAROLE PECK'S APRICOT, BOK CHOY AND MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the honey, mustard and vinegar in a small bowl.
• Toss the mint and the apricots with the dressing.
• Core the bok choy, then wash, dry and chop it. Toss with the apricots and dressing, and season with soy sauce if desired.