Chocolate Dipped Nougat With Dried Apricots Recipes

CROSTATA WITH DRIED APRICOTS AND TALEGGIO

Steps:

• For the crust: Add the flour, salt, and sugar to a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is finely chopped and the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the mascarpone cheese and lemon juice and pulse a few times. Add the ice water and run the machine just until the mixture is moist and crumbly, but does not form a ball. Do not overmix. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Press into a disk, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• For the filling: Put an oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the apricots, walnuts, lemon zest, cinnamon, and sea salt. Add the honey and stir until all the ingredients are coated. Stir in 2/3 of the cheese.
• Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit inside a 12 by 17-inch baking sheet and put it on a work surface. Put the chilled dough on the parchment paper. Roll the dough into an 11-inch circle, about 1/4-inch thick. Lift the parchment paper and transfer it to a baking sheet. Put the apricot filling in the center of the dough, spreading evenly, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the dough border over the filling to form an 8-inch round. Pleat the edge of the pastry and pinch to seal any cracks in the dough. Arrange the remaining cheese on top of the filling.
• Using a pastry brush, brush the crust with the beaten egg. Bake until the crust starts to turn golden, about 15 to 18 minutes. Cover the crostata loosely with a piece of foil and cook until the crust is golden and the cheese has melted, another 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the crostata from the oven to a cutting board and uncover. Cool for 10 minutes, then cut into slices and arrange on a serving platter. Serve while still warm.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED APRICOT BALLS

Steps:

• In a food processor chop fine the apricots and hazelnuts and mix in enough of the liqueur to hold the mixture together. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls, roll the balls lightly in the sugar, and let them stand at room temperature, uncovered, for 24 hours.
• In the top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, until it is smooth and remove it from the heat. Coat half of each ball with the chocolate, letting the excess drip off and wiping the underside of the ball gently against the side of the double boiler. Chill the balls on a baking sheet lined with a piece of parchment paper until the chocolate has hardened.
• The confections keep, chilled, in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

DIPPED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Microwave 2 ounces finely chopped dark chocolate at medium power until melted. Dip dried apricots halfway in the chocolate, then press an almond on each. Place on a parchment paper-lined plate, then freeze until set, about 2 minutes.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED APRICOTS

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or waxed paper. Melt and temper the chocolate (see pages 25-30).
• Hold an apricot half securely between your thumb and forefinger, and dip it halfway into the chocolate. Remove the apricot from the chocolate, gently shake off the excess chocolate, and place the apricot half on the paper. Repeat with the remaining apricot halves. Let the chocolate set up at room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Between layers of waxed paper, in a tightly covered container wrapped in several layers of aluminum foil, the apricot halves will keep for 2 weeks in the refrigerator. They are best eaten at room temperature.
• VARIATIONS
• Substitute dried peaches or dried pears for the apricots. Dip these halfway into the chocolate on the diagonal for an interesting design.