Apricots are delectable orbs of natural sweetness that are in season in early to mid summer. Toothsome in texture, apricots can be sliced and diced and added to any number of sweet and savory dishes. In addition to being delicious, apricots are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and also deliver potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorous and fiber.

Choose the perfect apricot

Take advantage of your local farmer’s markets or the produce aisle in your grocery store and choose bright orange-colored, plump, firm (but not hard) apricots that exude a delicate fruity aroma and feel heavy for their size. Refrigerate your ripe apricots until you are ready to use.

Optimally, choose apricots that are ready to be eaten. However, if your apricots need to be ripened, keep them in a paper bag at room temperature with an apple or banana. The natural gasses released from the apple or banana will hasten the ripening process.

Apricots are ripe with nutrition

A serving of succulent apricots (about three apricots) provides a mere 60 calories, primarily made up of carbohydrates (like most fruits), very little fat, one gram of fiber, and no cholesterol or sodium.

According to the California Fresh Apricot Council, a serving of apricots delivers 45 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A and 20 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Whether eaten alone or when added to other nutritious ingredients, apricots offer a healthy boost to your family’s diet.

Appetizing Apricot Recipes

These recipes have been adapted from the California Fresh Apricot Council website and will brighten up your family’s spring and summer meals. Give these apricot recipes a try then add fresh apricots to your own tried and true dishes to give new life to some of your favorite stand-bys.

Yummy Apricot Bites
Makes 12 bites

Your kids will love sinking their teeth into these sweet and creamy healthy snacks. Substitute any nuts you have on hand and experiment with flavored yogurts for a change of taste. These apricot bites are also a perfect finger food for your weekend get-togethers with family and friends.

Ingredients:
4 ounces cream cheese or Neufchatel, softened
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
12 fresh apricots, halved, pitted
1/2 cup pistachios, finely chopped

Directions:
Stir cream cheese and yogurt until smooth. Using a pastry bag, pipe cheese mixture into apricot halves (or use a spoon). Sprinkle tops with pistachios. Serve as an appetizer, snack, or dessert.

Grilled Apricot Stuffed Chicken
Serves 4

A family-friendly recipe for a summer weekend, these scrumptiously stuffed chicken breasts are grilled to perfection and ready to be eaten at a local park or your own backyard. Fresh apricots and apricot jam add a succulently sweet flavor to every bite of juicy chicken.

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup dry stuffing mix
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
4 fresh apricots, pitted, chopped
1/2 cup apricot jam
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Directions:
1. Preheat grill to medium-hot. Place a large piece of plastic wrap on a large cutting board. Place chicken on a cutting board and cover with a large sheet of plastic wrap. Pound chicken breasts with a mallet to flatten (the plastic will keep chicken flesh from scattering and make clean up easy).

2. In a small bowl, combine stuffing mix, onion, butter, 1/4 teaspoon ginger and apricots. Spoon stuffing mixture in a strip along the center of each breast. Roll each chicken breast around filling and tie each chicken roll with a kitchen twine or string every 2 inches.

3. Grill on an oiled rack for 15 minutes, turning once or twice. Meanwhile, mix apricot jam, vinegar and remaining 1/4 teaspoon ginger. Brush jam mixture over chicken rolls and continue cooking until done, about 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Remove the string and serve with a side of crisp coleslaw or grilled vegetables.

Fresh Apricot Ice Cream
Makes 2 quarts

What is summer without a cool, dreamy bowl of ice cream? Tantalize your family’s tastebuds with this homemade apricot ice cream. Toothsome bits of apricot swirled in a sweet creamy base of apricot and vanilla will liven up your afternoons by the pool or lake.

Ingredients:
1 (12-ounce) can skim evaporated milk
1 envelope plain gelatin
3/4 cup sugar
6 fresh apricots, pitted, finely diced
1-1/2 cups apricot nectar
1 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Combine milk and gelatin in a large saucepan. Turn heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until gelatin dissolves. Add sugar and continue to heat and stir until it dissolves.

2. Using a wire whisk, stir in apricots, nectar, yogurt and vanilla. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve with crumbled graham crackers or ginger snaps.

PointsandPrizes.com Keyword: RIPE worth 50 points good through 05/18/08.
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