Dried Apricots With Goat Cheese And Pistachios Food

DRIED APRICOTS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Toss apricots with juice and let stand, tossing occasionally, 20 minutes until softened.
• Chop pistachios and season with salt. Drain apricots, cut sides up, on paper towels. Top each with a small chunk of cheese and sprinkle with nuts.

QUINOA SALAD WITH APRICOTS, BASIL AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is just absorbed and the quinoa is moist and nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and immediately stir in the oil, apricots, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside to cool slightly, about 20 minutes, stirring a couple times. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
• When the quinoa is cool and ready to serve, stir in the arugula, basil, lemon juice and pistachios. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the goat cheese and serve.

COUSCOUS WITH DRIED APRICOTS, CURRANTS, AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• In each of two 3-quart saucepans bring half of water, oil, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and apricots to a boil. Stir 1 box couscous into each pan and let stand, covered, off heat 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to 2 shallow baking pans to cool as quickly as possible. Cool couscous completely and with your fingers break up any large lumps. Couscous may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring couscous to room temperature before proceeding.
• Fluff couscous with fork again and stir in currants, pistachios, mint, and salt and pepper to taste.

DRIED APRICOTS WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Stir nuts in a small frying pan over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes.
• Pour from pan and cool.
• In a small bowl or food processor, beat or process cheeses and pepper.
• Spread equal amounts of cheese mixture on each apricot half.
• Press a nut onto cheese.
• Press cheese-side down into minced parsley.
• Serve cheese-side up on a platter.