Mediterranean Philo Pockets With Spicy Apricot Dip Food

MEDITERRANEAN APRICOT PHYLLO BITES

Steps:

• Place almonds and apricots in a food processor; cover and process until finely chopped. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon butter, honey, lemon zest and extract; add almond mixture and stir until blended., Lightly brush one sheet of phyllo with remaining butter; place another sheet of phyllo on top and brush with butter. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Cut the two layered sheets into three 14x3-in. strips., Place 1-1/2 teaspoons filling in lower corner of each strip. Fold dough over filling, forming a triangle. Fold triangle up, then fold triangle over, forming another triangle. Continue folding, like a flag, until you come to the end of the strip. Brush end of dough with butter and press onto triangle to seal. Turn triangle and brush top with melted butter. Repeat., Place triangles on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

MEDITERRANEAN PHILO POCKETS WITH SPICY APRICOT DIP

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute mushrooms in butter. Add green onions, raisins, chicken and spices. Heat through. Let cool for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine mushroom-chicken mixture with cream cheese and Feta. Gently fold together until well combined. Set aside. Carefully work with the Philo dough, you will need to have a damp paper towel or cloth to keep the dough you are not working with from drying out.
• Melt butter, Cut Philo dough into 2-1/2 inch strips, Take 2 thin sheets and brush with butter. Place one hearty teaspoon scoop of chicken-mushroom mixture onto the end of the buttered strip. Carefully, fold dough in a triangle pattern, like folding a flag. Place on a cookie sheet. Repeat until the cookie sheet is full. Coat triangles with butter and bake for 15-20 minutes.
• Spicy Apricot Dipping Sauce Combine all ingredients and mix, You can service this dipping sauce heated or chilled. Brandi and I hope You Enjoy!!!

SILKY APRICOT CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the apricot preserves and brandy together, then set aside.
• Beat the cream cheese to a creamy consistency and blend in the sour cream and almond extract, blending until very smooth.
• Add the apricot-brandy mixture and blend well.
• Fold in the almonds.
• Cover and chill.
• SUGGESTED DIPPERS: Vanilla Wafers, Pound Cake Cubes, Muenster Or Monterey Jack Cheese Cubes Or Sticks, Chocolate Chunks.

COCONUT SHRIMP WITH SPICY APRICOT DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Butterfly each shrimp by cutting slightly more than halfway through using a small sharp knife, starting at top of the inward curve just below tail toward outward curve (do not cut shrimp in half).
• Press each shrimp open and press slightly to flatten.
• Combine cornstarch, salt and cayenne pepper.
• Place coconut in a shallow dish.
• Beat egg whites until frothy.
• Roll shrimp in cornstarch mixture; shake off excess.
• Dip shrimp into egg whites, then press into coconut; coating both sides.
• Pour all-vegetable oil into a heavy large pot to a depth of 3 inches; heat oil to 350°F
• Working in batches, add shrimp to hot oil; cook about 1 minute, or until cooked through.
• Carefully transfer shrimp to paper towels to drain.
• SPICY APRICOT DIPPING SAUCE:.
• Combine all ingredients; stir until well blended.

APRICOT POCKETS

Steps:

• mix together the butter, cream cheese and flour.
• form a ball.wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• remove from refrigerater and work dough until pliable.roll out on floured surface.cut dough into 12 3" squares.
• combine sugar, cinnamon and dash of nutmeg and almond powder, if available, in small bowl.
• take each apricot half, roll in this mixture and place into one of these squares.
• fold up corners to the center to form a pocket.
• bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes.on a parchment covered sheet.or until lightly browned.
• remove to wire rack and when almost cooled.sprinkle with powdered sugar -- .

SPICY APRICOT DIP FOR CHICKEN AKA JEZEBEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Blend ingredients together well.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.

MEDITERRANEAN SPICED RICE WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, over medium heat, warm the olive oil, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in the chicken stock and water; bring to a boil.
• Add the rice; reduce heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until rice is almost tender.
• Stir in seasonings, apricots and green onion; cook an additional 5 minutes to blend flavors.

APRICOT DIP SAUCE

Steps:

• Put preserves in food processor; pulse till smooth. Transfer to small bowl. Add vinegar, worcestershire sauce, and orange zest; stir till well combined. Serve immediately or can cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.

MEDITERRANEAN PORK AND PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• Slice the pork into 1 cm strips. Mince the ginger and garlic, mix with the lemon juice, sea salt, and ground coriander. Put in fridge for about half an hour; longer if you like.
• Slice onions and capsicums in to strips about 1/2 cm wide. Slice chilies finely and put all in a bowl for later.
• Heat oil to medium hot and add a few strips of pork and cook (in batches) until they just start to brown at the edges (about a minute). As each batch browns remove it and put in to a bowl to relax.
• Now cook the onions in remaining oil (add more oil if you need to) until the onions begin to soften and become slightly transparent. This takes about a minute, so don't overcook them as they will be cooked more later.
• Remove and mix well with the pork strips.
• Fry the capsicum and chili strips for about minute, add the roughly chopped tomatoes, and cook for about 30 seconds on high heat.
• Now add the pork and onions to this mixture, add Tabasco, and bring back to full heat.
• Check seasoning and add more salt and pepper if you need to. You can also add more Tabasco if you like it hotter. Garnish with a little chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) if you wish. Keep the dish warm while you do the Pitas.
• Heat pitas and slice open on one side.
• Serve the pork mixture in a bowl and let each person stuff their own pita. If it is anything like our house you will be checking how many each person has had! I can never make enough of this dish.