Apricots Stuffed With Almonds Recipes

BACON-WRAPPED DRIED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Gently separate the two sides of each apricot and stuff with the almonds. Wrap each with a segment of the bacon. Arrange in a small nonstick skillet seam-side down. Cook on medium heat until the undersides are well-browned and crisp, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Turn the apricots over and continue to cook until browned on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the maple syrup, vinegar and a few grinds of pepper and cook, shaking the skillet to coat, until the liquid has reduced and the apricots are glossy and browned all over, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a small plate and sprinkle with the chives. Serve warm or at room temperature.

APRICOTS STUFFED WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Slice apricots on one side to form a pitalike pocket. Grind remaining ingredients in a small food processor until fine. Stuff each apricot with mixture and serve.

PORK CHOPS WITH APRICOT-ALMOND STUFFING

Steps:

• Mix together apricots, almonds, parsley, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cut a 2-inch slit into the side of each pork chop using a paring knife, cutting through to the bone to form a pocket. Fill each pocket with 2 tablespoons apricot stuffing, and press to flatten. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sear pork chops until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Add 1/2 cup stock. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer pork chops to plates using a slotted spatula.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup stock to skillet; raise heat to high, and simmer, scraping up brown bits with a wooden spoon, until sauce is thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vinegar; simmer for 30 seconds. Strain sauce through a fine sieve, and drizzle over pork.

APRICOT ALMOND GALETTE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roll out pie crust onto a baking sheet.
• Toss the quartered apricots with the white sugar in a bowl. Mix almond meal, confectioners' sugar, and egg together in another bowl to create a paste. Spread almond paste on the center of the pie crust, leaving 1/2 inch of bare crust all around the edge. Arrange the sugared apricots over the almond paste. Fold the 1/2-inch bare edge of the crust inward over the almond paste and apricots, leaving the center of the tart uncovered. Crimp the edge down with a fork as you go around the tart.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Brush the melted apricot jam over the hot galette. Slice and serve.

AMARETTO CHEESE-FILLED APRICOTS

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the almonds, the cherries and amaretto with spoon. Spoon into small resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut 1/2 inch off 1 corner of bag.
• With fingers, open apricots along one side so they resemble partially open clamshells. Pipe about 1 teaspoon cheese mixture into each apricot.
• Finely chop remaining almonds. Dip cheese edge of apricots into almonds. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving to chill.

APRICOT ALMOND STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place torn croissant pieces, chopped onion, sliced almonds, tarragon, thyme, parsley, quartered apricot bits, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, apricot preserves (or jam), and half of the chicken broth; stir until blended. Pour the broth mixture over the stuffing mixture.
• Use a large spatula or wooden spoon to toss the stuffing mixture until all the ingredients are well blended. Use as much of the remaining broth--adding a little at a time--as is needed to get the stuffing thoroughly moist (but not saturated or "soupy"). I usually use nearly all of the 2 cups of broth, with maybe 1/8 cup or so not used (I've never really measured the unused portion).
• Place stuffing in a 10x10-inch baking dish, cover, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
• NOTE - I don't usually grease my pyrex casserole dish for this stuffing, and I have never had a problem with the stuffing sticking to the edges or bottom, and the clean-up is very easy (no crusty pieces stuck to the dish). But, depending on what type of dish you use to roast the stuffing, you might want to first lightly butter your baking dish or lightly coat it with a no-stick cooking spray.
• TIP - Take advantage of sales, and buy day-old croissants at a reduced price when you plan to make this dish. They will be well moistened with the buttery broth, so it won't matter if they are a bit dry.

BAKED FRESH APRICOTS WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Cut the apricots in half and remove their pits.
• Arrange the apricot halves, cut side down, in a gratin dish.
• Spoon the jam over the fruit.
• Pour the half-and-half over the fruit.
• Sprinkle the almonds and sugar on top.
• Place in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
• Serve lukewarm.

BAKED APRICOTS WITH ALMOND TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish. Process almonds and brown sugar in a food processor until almonds are finely chopped. Add butter; process until just combined.
• Place apricot halves, cut sides up, in buttered baking dish. Cover top of each apricot half with almond mixture. Bake until apricots are soft and almond mixture is deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer 3 apricot halves to each serving plate. Serve warm.