Mascarpone Stuffed Apricots Food

APRICOTS WITH MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Beat the cream in a chilled bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Beat in the sugar and set aside. In another bowl, whip the mascarpone cheese with an electric mixer until very soft; beat in the apricot nectar, vanilla extract, and cardamom. Gently fold the mascarpone mixture into the whipped cream.
• Place the apricot preserves and honey into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in microwave oven until warm but not hot, about 30 seconds. Mix well and stir the balsamic vinegar into the honey mixture.
• Stuff each apricot half with a dollop of the mascarpone cream and place the filled apricot halves on a serving dish. Drizzle the fruit and plate with balsamic sauce and serve.

MASCARPONE STUFFED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Combine cheeses, honey, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, and nutmeg, stirring well. Stir in walnuts. Chill 1 hour.
• Sprinkle cut sides of apricots evenly with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• Spoon about 1 teaspoon cheese mixture into each apricot half; chill 1 hour. Garnish with chopped mint, if desired.

RICOTTA STUFFED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Mix ricotta, honey and cinnamon.
• Spoon mixture into a piping bag with a star tip. I use a #18, but any size will work as long as it is large enough for the ricotta mixture to be piped through it.
• Take each apricot and roll it in your fingers to reveal the hole made when the pits were removed. Pipe the ricotta mixture into this hole, filling the apricot.

MASCARPONE-FILLED FIGS OR APRICOTS WITH AMARETTO

Steps:

• Blend mascarpone, sour cream and confectioners' sugar in food processor until smooth.
• Cut deep slit in each fig; squeeze gently to open; spoon cheese mixture into each fig or mound on each apricot half; sprinkle with nuts, then cinnamon; drizzle amaretto over and serve.