Bacon-Wrapped Apricots Stuffed with Pistachios and Mozzarella

Name: Bacon-Wrapped Apricots Stuffed with Pistachios andu00a0Mozzarella
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: u00bd cup sherry vinegar; u00bd cup water; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; u00bc teaspoon whole cloves; u00bc teaspoon allspice; u00bc teaspoon black peppercorns; 1-inch piece fresh ginger root, cut into thin slices (no need to peel, but scrub well); 3 - 2-inch pieces of orange peel; 24 dried apricots (about 1 cup); 12 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise (thinly-sliced bacon recommended; applewood smoked bacon, if available, is delicious here); 24 whole pistachios, shelled (or a slightly larger number of pistachio pieces); 2 to 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into u00bc- to u00bd-inch cubes

By Leslie Blythe Bacon, Cheese, Hors d'oeuvres, Nuts Baking, Boiling, Simmering

October 17, 2023

Bacon-Wrapped Apricots Stuffed with Pistachios and Mozzarella is a delicious appetizer that combines sweet, savory, and salty flavors. The recipe involves dried apricots poached in a spiced sherry vinegar, stuffed with pistachios and mozzarella, and then wrapped in bacon for a simple yet unforgettable party snack.

Prep: 25 mins
Cook: 30 mins

Ingredients

½ cup sherry vinegar

½ cup water

1 tablespoon brown sugar

¼ teaspoon whole cloves

¼ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon black peppercorns

1-inch piece fresh ginger root, cut into thin slices (no need to peel, but scrub well)

3 - 2-inch pieces of orange peel

24 dried apricots (about 1 cup)

12 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise (thinly-sliced bacon recommended; applewood smoked bacon, if available, is delicious here)

24 whole pistachios, shelled (or a slightly larger number of pistachio pieces)

2 to 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into ¼- to ½-inch cubes

Directions

1In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, water, brown sugar, cloves, allspice, peppercorns, ginger root, and orange peel to a boil. Add apricots, and lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for about 12 minutes, or until the apricots are soft and plumped up but not falling apart; they should have a definite pickled flavor at this point, which will develop more fully as they cool. Remove from the heat and let them cool to room temperature in the pan.  With a sharp paring knife, cut a small lengthwise slit on one side of each apricot, and gently pry them open. Stuff each one with a piece of cheese and a pistachio. Wrap a piece of bacon around each apricot; the bacon should overlap slightly (by about ½ inch) so they hold together once cooked. Trim the bacon if necessary. Transfer, overlap-side down, to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Preheat oven to 375° F. Bake the apricots until the bacon is browned and crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes.

2Transfer to a serving plate, put a toothpick in each one, and serve immediately.

Recipe from Food 52, December 7, 2011.

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