Minted Apricot Fish Recipes

APRICOT FISH

Steps:

• Set oven control to broil. Grease broiler pan rack.
• Place fish on rack in broiler pan. Broil with tops about 4 inches from heat 4 minutes; turn. Broil about 4 minutes longer or until fish flakes easily with fork.
• Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients; spoon onto fish. To grill: Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Heat grill to medium heat. Place fish on grill rack. Cover and grill 5 to 6 inches from heat 10 to 20 minutes, turning once, until fish flakes easily with fork. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients; spoon onto fish during last minute of cooking.

EASY BAKED STICKY APRICOT SALMON

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC/430ºF.
• Combine all the glaze ingredients and bring to a simmer in a small saucepan. Allow to cook for a few minutes until the glaze has thickened and coats the back of a spoon easily. Adjust seasoning (add more soy or lemon juice if necessary) and allow to cool slightly.
• Line a baking tray with foil and grease with a little oil/cooking spray. Place the salmon fillets on the tray, skin-side down. Pour over the glaze and place in the oven.
• Allow to bake for 7-10 minutes, spooning the glaze over the salmon every 2-3 minutes, until the salmon is cooked to your preference, and is glossy and sticky.
• Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving with sides of your choice.

BASMATI RICE PILAF WITH APRICOTS

Steps:

• Put the apricots and lemon zest in the 2 cups of cold water. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garam masala, and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and translucent, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the water along with the apricots, lemon zest, the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, wrap a clean dish towel around the saucepan lid, and cover saucepan. Cook for 10 minutes, set aside for 5 minutes undisturbed, then remove lid and fluff with a fork. Mound the pilaf on a serving platter or in a shallow bowl, tear the mint over, and top with the nuts.
• Game Plan: Toast the nuts while the rice cooks.

BASIC YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, mint, oil, lime juice, salt and 1 to 2 tablespoons water. Use a rasp grater to finely grate garlic into the bowl. Stir, taste and adjust salt and lime juice as needed. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.

MINTED APRICOT COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan bring water, oil, honey, and cumin to a boil and stir in couscous. Immediately remove pan from heat and let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Seed cucumber and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Pit apricots and cut into 1/4-inch dice. Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in cucumber, apricots, mint, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or chilled.

WHOLE FISH WITH MINT

Steps:

• Place a wire rack in the bottom of a roasting pan and add an inch of water to the pan. Place pan on the stove over two burners and bring water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, rinse and dry the fish inside and out. Place on a heat-safe platter and stuff the cavity with half the ginger, scallions, and chile pepper, all the garlic, and 4 sprigs mint. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Top fish with remaining ginger, scallions, and chile pepper, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Transfer platter to preparedpan. Cover tightly with foil and steamuntil opaque throughout, about15 minutes. Carefully lift platterfrom pan, retaining the juices.
• Meanwhile, combine lime juice and oil in a medium-size bowl. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste, and add remaining mint and the basil leaves. Toss to coat the herbs.
• Place herb mixture on top of the fish and serve immediately.

TURKEY MEATBALLS IN APRICOT SAUCE WITH MINT AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large straight-sided skillet or braiser over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but no color has developed, about 5 minutes. Remove half of onion and reserve. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, ginger, coriander, turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to onion in skillet, stirring to combine. Cook until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl, reserving skillet (do not wipe clean); stir breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup broth into bowl with spiced onion. Let cool slightly.
• Add turkey, mint, egg, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to bowl, gently stirring to combine (do not overwork, or meatballs with be tough). With dampened hands, form into golf-ball-size meatballs and transfer to a parchment-lined tray (you should have about 20, each roughly 2 inches in diameter). Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes or, loosely covered, up to 1 day.
• Meanwhile, combine apricots, cinnamon stick, and remaining 2 3/4 cups broth in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until apricots are very soft and plump, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly; discard cinnamon. Transfer to a blender with reserved onion and purée until smooth.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in reserved skillet over medium-high. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in apricot mixture and bring to a boil. Gently nestle meatballs into sauce. Lower heat, partially cover (leaving about a 1-inch steam vent), and simmer, turning meatballs a few times, until almost cooked through and sauce has thickened and darkened slightly, 15 to 17 minutes.
• Uncover and continue to simmer until sauce reduces to a thick gravy, about 5 minutes more. Meanwhile, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add almonds and cook, stirring occasionally, until nutty and golden in places, 2 to 3 minutes. Top meatballs with almonds and mint leaves; serve.

MINTED APRICOT FISH

Steps:

• Place fish in baking dish in single layer.
• Combine remaining ingredients and pour over fish.
• Cover and bake in moderate oven for about 45 minutes until fish is tender.
• You can uncover for last few minutes to get a caramelized finish.