Aged Cheese With Apricot Paste and Toasted Almonds Recipe
🕒 Total Time: 3 hours and 13 minutes
🥄 Prep Time: 3 hours
🍳 Cook Time: 13 minutes
🍽️ Servings: Varies
Description:
Indulge in the delightful combination of aged cheese, homemade apricot paste, and toasted almonds with this savory-sweet recipe. Perfect for a sophisticated appetizer or cheese platter, this dish offers a burst of flavor that will impress your guests.
Ingredients:
- 6 dried apricots
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch of coarse salt
- 12 almonds
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Apricot Paste:
- Place the dried apricots in a small bowl and cover them with warm water.
- Let them soak for 30 minutes, then drain, reserving the liquid.
- Purée the plumped apricots in a food processor with 1/3 cup of the reserved soaking liquid until smooth.
- Transfer the purée to a small saucepan and add the sugar and fresh lemon juice.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the purée thickens slightly and deepens in color, about 12 minutes, stirring often to prevent scorching.
- Gradually sprinkle in the pectin while stirring constantly until dissolved.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.
- Transfer the mixture to an 8-inch square pan, spreading it evenly.
- Allow it to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate until fully set, approximately 2 hours. The paste can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
-
Toast the Almonds:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the almonds in a small baking dish, drizzle them with olive oil, and toss to coat evenly.
- Toast the almonds in the preheated oven until they begin to turn deep golden brown, about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally for even browning.
- Once toasted, sprinkle the almonds with a pinch of coarse salt and toss to coat. The toasted almonds can be prepared a day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
-
Assemble and Serve:
- Slice the aged cheese into ½-inch slices or individual wedges and arrange them on one side of individual serving plates.
- Cut the apricot paste into 2-inch squares or diamonds and place 2 or 3 pieces opposite the cheese.
- Serve with a small pile of toasted almonds alongside.
Serving Suggestions:
- This dish is inspired by the classic Spanish pairing of manchego cheese with quince paste. However, you can also use sharp cheddar or other aged sheep’s milk cheeses for a variety of flavors.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 510.7
- Fat Content: 27.8g
- Saturated Fat Content: 9.9g
- Cholesterol Content: 36.3mg
- Sodium Content: 770.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 54.2g
- Fiber Content: 5.5g
- Sugar Content: 34g
- Protein Content: 17.5g
Keywords:
< 4 Hours, High In...
Notes:
- The combination of savory aged cheese, sweet apricot paste, and crunchy toasted almonds creates a delightful sensory experience that is sure to please your taste buds.
- Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite pairing for this versatile appetizer.
- Enjoy the convenience of preparing the apricot paste ahead of time, allowing you to effortlessly assemble this elegant dish whenever you’re ready to serve.
