Apricot Cashew Clusters Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a pencil, draw an 8-by-10-inch rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Turn the parchment paper over so the pencil mark doesn't get onto the chocolate and place it on a sheet pan.
• Place the pistachios in one layer on another sheet pan and bake for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Place three quarters of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. (Time it with your watch for accuracy.) Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. (If you need to heat it a little more, place it in the microwave for another 15 seconds.)
• Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread it lightly to fill the drawn rectangle. Sprinkle the top evenly with the cooled pistachios, the cranberries, and apricots. Press the nuts and fruit lightly so they will set in the chocolate. Set aside for at least 2 hours until firm or refrigerate for 20 minutes. Cut or break the bark in 16 pieces and serve at room temperature.

CHOW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, combine chocolate and butterscotch chips. Melt, stirring constantly over low heat.
• Remove when melted and add chow mein noodles. Add cashews or peanuts. Mix quickly to coat Dip out tablespoons onto wax paper. Cool. (Can also melt chips in the microwave.)

APRICOT CASHEW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in apricots and cashews. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE CASHEW COCONUT CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Toast the cashews on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until uniformly golden brown. Cool the nuts to room temperature. Toast the coconut on a baking sheet in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges. Cool the coconut to room temperature. Heat 1-inch of water in the bottom half of a double boiler over medium heat. Place the semisweet chocolate in the top half of the double boiler. Use a rubber spatula to stir the chocolate until completely melted and smooth, about 5 to 6 minutes. transfer the melted chocolate to a 4-quart bowl. Add the cashews and coconut. Use a rubber spatula to stir until the cashews and coconut are completely coated with chocolate.
• Immediately portion the mixture by heaping tablespoons (approximately 1 1/2 ounces) for each cluster, onto waxed paper. Allow the clusters to harden at room temperature for 1 hour, then refrigerate for 30 minutes, until firm enough to handle. Store the clusters in a tightly sealed plastic container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

APRICOT CASHEW CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in apricots and cashews. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until set, about 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

AROMATIC BASMATI RICE WITH APRICOTS AND CASHEWS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat; add in the rice and decrease heat to medium.
• Boil, uncovered until the rice is barely tender, about 15 minutes; drain into a sieve and rinse under cold running water; place in a large bowl.
• In a big skillet, melt the butter over med-high heat; add in the onions and carrots; cook, stirring often, until the onions are golden brown, 10-12 minutes.
• Add the cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves; stir until very fragrant, 15-30 seconds.
• Scrape the vegetables into the bowl of rice and mix.
• Stir in the cashews, apricots, cilantro, salt, and pepper; place in a lightly buttered baking dish, drizzle with the broth, cover, and bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 30 minutes.

APRICOT, CASHEW SMOOTHIE

Steps:

• Add all of the ingredients in order listed into a blender and blend till smooth.
• Add more ice water if needed.