Apricot Pecan Sugarplums Recipes

APRICOT-PECAN SUGARPLUMS

Steps:

• Place the first 7 ingredients in a food processor; pulse until mixture just comes together. Shape mixture into 1-in. balls; roll in sugar. Store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

SUGARPLUMS

Steps:

• Put the almonds, plums, apricots, and figs into the bowl of a food processor and pulse 20 to 25 times or until the fruit and nuts are chopped into small pieces, but before the mixture becomes a ball.
• Combine the powdered sugar, anise seeds, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, cardamom, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Add the nut and fruit mixture and the honey and mix using gloved hands until well combined.
• Scoop the mixture into 1/4-ounce portions and roll into balls. If serving immediately, roll in the coarse sugar and serve. If not serving immediately, put the balls on a cooling rack and leave uncovered until ready to serve. Roll in the coarse sugar prior to serving.
• The Sugarplums may be stored on the cooling rack for up to a week. After a week, store in an airtight container for up to a month.

SUGAR-ROASTED PLUMS AND APRICOTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. In another bowl, toss the plums, apricots, vanilla extract, and orange juice together. In a roasting pan or oven-proof baking dish, arrange the fruit cut-side up pouring any extra juice in the baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes or until the fruit is fork tender.

APRICOT-PECAN SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Place the sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Mix together brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, apricot nectar, water, and orange peel in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. When the sauce is thick, stir in the butter and pecans. Place the sweet potato chunks into the prepared baking dish, and pour the sauce over to coat all the potatoes.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender and bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes.

ANY-ROAST APRICOT & PECAN STUFFING

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large pan, add the onions and celery, and briefly cook until they start to soften. Stir in the apricots and garlic, and cook a few mins more. Add the pecans and nutmeg, and cook, stirring until the nuts are lightly toasted. Leave to cool.
• Stir in the breadcrumbs, mince, egg and herbs with 1 tsp salt and lots of pepper, then divide the mixture into 4, pack into bags and freeze. Will keep for 3 months.
• One batch will make 12 stuffing balls or can be used to stuff roast pork or chicken. Two batches will fill a 1lb loaf tin, lined with streaky bacon that can be sliced, while 2 - 3 will stuff a medium-to-large turkey.
• Cook at 200C/180C/gas 6 for 30 mins if rolling into balls, 45 mins if cooking in a loaf tin, or use to stuff the neck of your favourite roast bird, cooking for the same time as indicated in the recipe.

APRICOT FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Grease two 9 inch tube pans.
• In a saucepan over medium heat cook apricots in the water until they are mushy. Press them through a sieve and let them cool.
• Separate the eggs. Beat the egg yolks until lemony colored. Then beat the egg whites until stiff peaks are formed. Set aside.
• Cream the butter or margarine and sugar together. Add the beaten egg yolks and the apricots, and mix thoroughly.
• Combine the raisins, candied cherries, candied pineapple, and mixed dried fruits in a bowl coated with one cup of the flour.
• Combine the remaining flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this flour mixture alternately to the creamed mixture with the apricot juice. Blend this batter into the mixed fruits. Add the chopped pecans or walnuts and fold in the beaten egg whites. Turn the batter into the prepared pans.
• Bake at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) for 2 hours. Garnish cakes with candied pineapples and cherries. Makes about 24 servings.

APRICOT-PECAN STUFFING

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook leeks and onion over medium heat in butter, until tender but not brown.
• Stir in apples, pecans, apricots, and nutmeg.
• Cook about 4 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and cooked onion mixture.
• In a small bowl, combine half and half, egg, salt, and pepper.
• Add to bread mixture and stir gently to coat.
• Place in a greased 2 qt casserole and bake, covered, in a 375* oven for 20 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes.

CRUNCHY APRICOT-COCONUT BALLS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine coconut, apricots and pecans. Add condensed milk; mix well (mixture will be sticky)., Shape into 1-1/4-in. balls and roll in confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.