Apricot And Cream Cheese Spread Recipes

APRICOT AND CREAM CHEESE PASTRY

Steps:

• Line a baking tray with baking paper - See Note 6Remove the pastry from the freezer and defrost - See Note 7Preheat oven to 200 degrees C (400 F).
• Drain the canned apricots through a sieve. Then place on some kitchen towel, cut side down, to remove as much moisture as possible and avoid making your pastries soggy.
• Combine cream cheese, vanilla and icing/confectioners' sugar and mix well.
• Cut the puff pastry into eight 10 cm/4" squares.
• To make the shape that I have used, fold the square loosely in half diagonally to form a triangle. - See Note 8.
• To shape the pastry, use a very sharp knife and make two cuts along the outside edge of the triangle, about ½ " wide, but not cutting right through to the tip of the triangle.
• Open the triangle and gently lift the right-hand strip of pastry over to the left, placing it on the square of pastry.Place pastry on baking tray to shape and top. (It is difficult to move once assembled).
• Repeat with the left-hand strip, taking it to the right-hand side. The pastry creates a frame around the filling.
• Divide the cream cheese mixture between the pastry shapes.
• Place an apricot half on top of the cream cheese.
• Brush the edges of the pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle with a teaspoon of demerara sugar.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry becomes golden-brown.
• Meanwhile, add the jam to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, adding a teaspoon of water if necessary to thin it a little. If there are large pieces of jam it will be best to push the jam through a sieve. If not, brush each apricot with some of the jam to give them a nice shine.
• Allow the pastries to cool for a few minutes before serving. However, if not serving immediately, store the cold pastries in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two or freezer if keeping longer. Re-heat for a few minutes before serving.

CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, cranberries, apricots and orange zest until blended. Chill until serving. Serve with crackers.

APRICOT SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, preserves, chives and onion powder until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 25 minutes or until chilled. Serve with crackers.

APRICOT SPREAD

Steps:

• Bring apricots, wine, water, sugar, zest, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced and very syrupy and apricots are very soft, about 15 minutes if using California (about 45 minutes if using Turkish). (If apricots are not yet softened, pour in an additional 1/4 cup water and continue cooking.)
• Remove from heat. Discard zest, then stir in rum. Transfer apricot mixture to a bowl and cool slightly, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
• Purée in a food processor until mixture is very smooth. Add water to purée if necessary to achieve a spreadable consistency.
• Serve at room temperature or chilled.