Three of my simple pleasures include reading cookbooks, trying new recipes and tasting new foods. All came together recently in the form of Cherry-Apricot Yogurt Sundaes, truly food to "talk over"!
Though red cherries were said to be "okay," yellow/white cherries such as Royal Ann or Rainier were recommended. Having never tasted Rainier cherries and seeing they were available in the markets and on the fruit carts, I opted for these. Their gold and orange color with yellow flesh would have been enough to sway me! The apricots were of a magnificent hue as well.
When I look for a fruit dessert, I have three criteria on my mind: aesthetics (the end result should be beautiful); flavor; and ease of preparation. The Cherry-Apricot Yogurt Sundaes "fit the bill."
The recipe follows:
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
5 fresh bay leaves, halved lengthwise
2 (3x1 in.) strips fresh lemon zest
2 (3x1 in.) strips fresh orange zest
6 fresh apricots
1 lb. fresh cherries
2 t. fresh lemon juice
2 c. plain yogurt (preferably Greek, which holds its shape nicely)
1. Simmer sugar, water, bay leaves and zests in a 1-quart heavy saucepan 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep 20 minutes.
2. While the syrup steeps, halve apricots lengthwise and remove pit. Run a paring knife crosswise around each cherry, touching pit, then twist cherry halves to separate. Remove pits with tip of knife.
3. Toss apricots and cherries with lemon juice in a large shallow bowl. Return syrup to a boil, then pour over fruit, tossing to coat. Cover and let stand, stirring occasionally, at least 30 minutes.
4. Put 1/3 c. yogurt on each of 6 plates and serve with fruit.
Note:
-The apricots and cherries can stand in syrup up to 2 hours. (The cherries will start to discolor after that time.)
-The bay-leaf syrup can be made 3 days ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Bring to a boil before tossing with apricots and cherries.
-I have mixed only so much fruit as I could use at any one time. It is easy to heat the syrup in the microwave and continue with the directions as specified.
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