Turkish Stuffed Apricots Recipes

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.

TURKISH STUFFED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Soak the apricots in 2 cups of cold water for 8 hours or overnight.
• After the apricots have finished soaking, remove them from their soaking liquid. You should have about 1 cup of liquid left. Add more water if needed to reach 1 cup.
• Combine the soaking liquid with the lemon juice and sugar in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Gently add the apricots to the liquid, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apricots are very tender, but not mushy, 10 to 20 minutes. I found the apricots cooked unevenly, so it's best to check the apricots as you go and remove them individually to a plate when they are tender. Allow the apricots to cool to room temperature.
• Once all the apricots are removed from the liquid, increase the heat to a full boil, and continue to cook until the sauce is reduced slightly and starting to become syrupy. It should easily coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Use a paring knife to gently open each apricot about halfway. Carefully spoon the filling into each, then dip the exposed filling in the chopped pistachios.
• Arrange the stuffed apricots on a serving platter, drizzle with the syrup, and scatter any remaining pistachios over top.

ITALIAN STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat, crumbling beef, until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in water, tomato paste, bouillon and oregano. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine egg, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Stuff shells with cheese mixture., Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange shells in a greased 13x9-in. or 3-qt. baking dish. Pour meat sauce over shells. Cover; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes longer. Freeze option: After assembling, cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake as directed, adding remaining 1 cup mozzarella after 30-40 minutes and increasing time as necessary for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.

STUFFED SHELLS I

Steps:

• Cook shells according to package directions. Place in cold water to stop cooking. Drain.
• Mix together cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic powder. Rub the dried herbs in the palms of your hands to pulverize them, and stir into the cheese mixture. Stuff mixture into the shells.
• Spread 1/3 of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of a 15 x 10 inch pan. Place shells open side up, and close together in pan. Spread remaining sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 35 minutes, or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Once the water comes to a boil, heavily salt the water and add in the shells. Cook for 9 minutes, or 2 minutes less than the package directions state. Drain the pasta and allow it to cool slightly.
• While the pasta is cooking, prepare the filling by mixing together the ricotta egg, parmesan, garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
• Spread a 2-quart baking dish with 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.
• Once the shells are cool enough to handle, stuff each shell with the ricotta mixture, about 1/4 cup filling per shell. Remember to not overstuff the shells, so that the shells can somewhat close around the ricotta filling.
• Top the shells with the remaining spaghetti sauce and then cover with the mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.

TURKEY STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Lightly spray olive oil spray in a medium nonstick skillet and heat on a medium heat.
• Add onion, garlic and cilantro and saute about 2 minutes, add ground turkey, salt, garlic powder, cumin and cook meat for 4 to 5 minutes until meat is completely cooked through.
• Add 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of chicken broth, mix well and simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
• Combine cooked rice and meat together.
• Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise, and remove all seeds. Spoon 2/3 cup meat mixture into each pepper half and place in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Top each with 1 tbsp cheese.
• Pour the remainder of the chicken broth on the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes.
• Carefully remove the foil and serve right away.

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.

TURKEY ASPARAGUS STIR-FRY

Steps:

• In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add turkey; stir-fry until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Remove and keep warm., Add the next 6 ingredients to pan; stir-fry until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Combine water, soy sauce and cornstarch; add to skillet with water chestnuts. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Return turkey to skillet and heat through. Serve with rice and tomato wedges.