Turkish Style Stuffed Apricots Food

TURKISH-STYLE STUFFED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Soak the apricots in the water overnight.
• The next day, put the apricots and their soaking water in a small pan along with the sugar. Bring to a simmer and simmer approx 10 minutes so that the sugar is dissolved and the syrup thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. Note that to here can be done ahead of time.
• Put approximately 1tsp of yogurt in the opening of each apricot and then press a pistachio or almond into the yogurt. Repeat with the rest of the apricots and serve with a little more nuts on the side for decoration.

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.

POACHED TURKISH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Pre-soak the apricots in boiling water just cover them. Add water as needed to keep apricots just covered.
• When the apricots are moist and swollen, remove them and place the apricots in a glass bowl with the brandy and orange juice let them steep for 20 minutes.
• Place the apricots in a sauce pan with the juice and brandy, add the honey, orange rinds, cardamom seeds and almonds and cook for 10 minutes.
• Lift the apricots from the pot with slotted spoon place in a bowl till needed, add a little more honey and brandy to the almonds and cook for a few minutes more.
• Stir the apricots back into the nuts gently.
• Sauce: Heat the cream and reduce by half, add the Amarula and heat through, remove from the heat.
• Spoon the Amarula cream onto 6 white plates.
• Place a round of ginger bread in the middle of each puddle and spoon over the apricots and nuts.

TURKISH CREAM FILLED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Place apricots in a bowl and add water to cover and let stand overnight.
• Drain.
• In a saucepan over medium heat,combine the sugar and 2 cups water.
• Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• Simmer about 10 minutes or until thickened.
• Add the apricots and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in the lemon juice and simmer 1 minute longer.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apricots to a large plate or baking sheet, reserving the syrup in the pan.
• Let syrup cool enough to thicken slightly. If the syrup isn't thick, reduce it a bit over medium heat.
• If using whole apricots carefully cut each along the seam with a small sharp knife to create a pocket.
• Using a small spoon or pastry bag fitted with a plain tip pipe the filling into the pocket.
• If using halves, spoon the filling onto the centers of half of them. Top with the remaining apricot halves.
• Arrange the apricots side by side on a serving platter.
• Spoon the thickened syrup over the stuffed apricots and refrigerate until the syrup is set, about 30 minutes.
• Bring the apricots to room temperature and sprinkle with chopped nuts.