Apricot Manhattans Food

MANHATTAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix meat, crumbs, onions, eggs, parsley and salt. Shape into 56 meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter. Brown in margarine in large skillet; drain. Place in 2-qt. casserole dish.
• Mix preserves and barbecue sauce. Pour over meatballs; mix lightly.
• Bake 30 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

APRICOT CLAFOUTI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 9- to 10-inch shallow pie plate.
• Combine the egg yolks and 1/3 cup of the sugar in a large bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed until ribbons form when you lift the beater just slightly out of the batter, about 3 minutes. Add the flour, heavy cream and vanilla extract. Reduce the speed to low and beat until thoroughly blended, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• Slide the prepared pie plate into the oven to preheat for 4 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg whites and salt in a small bowl for 30 seconds; add to the batter and beat with the mixer on low speed until just incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Combine the apricots, lemon zest and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium bowl, and gently stir until the apricots are thoroughly coated. Remove the pie plate from the oven, pour in the apricots in a decorative pattern, and top with the batter.
• Bake until set in the middle, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve warm with a small dollop of the whipped cream, if using.
• Add the heavy cream, sugar, vanilla and lemon zest to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip just until soft peaks form.

APRICOT DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• For the dough: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, breadcrumbs, cornmeal, brown sugar and salt to combine. Cut the cream cheese into pieces and add it to the bowl. Use a fork, pastry cutter or your hands to combine the cream cheese into the mixture until fully incorporated.
• Make a well in the center and add the egg to it. Use a fork or small whisk to beat the egg slightly, then mix the dough until it comes together and is fairly smooth. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze to chill slightly while you prep the apricots.
• For the apricots: Use a paring knife to cut a small circle around the stem end of each apricot. Use the handle of a wooden spoon to push the pit out of each apricot while keeping the apricot whole (it will now be hollow in the center). Note: The riper the apricots, the easier this is. If they're firm, you may need to use the knife to cut around them more. Press a sugar cube into the center of each apricot.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. In a small bowl, stir the breadcrumbs, melted butter and nutmeg to combine.
• Divide the dough into 10 even pieces. Dust the work surface lightly with all-purpose flour, then use your hands to flatten each piece of dough slightly. Gently wrap each piece of dough around an apricot, pinching well to seal.
• Reduce the water to a simmer, then drop the dumplings into the water. Cook until the apricots are tender and the dough is fully cooked, 12 to 15 minutes. At first, they'll sink into the water, but once they're finished, they'll start to float towards the surface.
• While the dumplings cook, toast the buttered breadcrumbs in a small saute pan over medium heat until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Return to the bowl and stir in the granulated sugar.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings and drain well. Gently roll each in the toasted breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
• To serve, dust the dumplings generously with confectioners' sugar. Serve with whipped cream or yogurt, if desired.

APRICOT MANHATTANS

Steps:

• Combine the chopped apricots and the apricot nectar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer briskly until reduced and somewhat syrupy, about 10 minutes. Pour into a French press and let cool to room temperature, 5 to 10 minutes. Then add the bourbon, vermouth and bitters; stir well.
• Add ice to 4 rocks glasses. Place the lid on the press and plunge. Divide the drink between the glasses and garnish each with a whole dried apricot.