Appetizing Apricots

Photo by TERRY BRENNAN
Food styled by LARA MIKLASEVICS

One of the greater challenges of dinner party menu planning is what to serve for hors d’ouevres. With a big meal ahead, you don’t want your guests to fill up on heavy cocktail snacks, but you might want something a little more exciting than carrot and celery sticks. Here’s a great solution: Spread dried apricots with honey sweetened goat cheese and top with crunchy salty pistachios. This pretty little hors d’ouevre has everything going for it. The canapés are easy to make, healthy and, best of all, delicious! For best results, use soft, plump dried apricots, not ones that are leathery or tough.
 

Apricot Canapés with Lemony Goat Cheese and Pistachios

Serves 10-12

2 ounces (¼ cup) fresh goat cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons honey
½ teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
¼ cup finely chopped roasted, salted pistachios
6 ounces dried apricots (about 24)

In a small bowl, mash the goat cheese with a fork until soft. Add the honey and lemon zest, and stir until creamy and smooth. Spread the pistachios out on a small salad-size plate.

Using a butter knife, spread one side of each apricot with about ½ teaspoon of the goat cheese mixture. Dip the cheese side in the chopped pistachios, pressing lightly so the pistachios stick. Arrange the apricots, nut side up, on a serving platter. These may be made ahead, covered with plastic wrap, and refrigerated for several hours. Let return to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.

PER 2 APRICOT CANAPES: CALORIES 65 (19 from fat); FAT 2g (sat. 1g); CHOL 2mg; SODIUM 29mg; CARB 11g; FIBER 1g; PROTEIN 2g