Homemade Apricot Preserve Recipe
How to Wash Apricots & Make Delicious Apricot Preserves
When washing apricots, it’s crucial to thoroughly dry them to enjoy their best flavor. Apricots are perfectly in season right now, so why not make a variety of delicious dishes with them? This recipe guides you on how to properly wash apricots and create delightful apricot preserves. (00:06 How to Wash Apricots / 00:40 Apricot Preserve Making Process)
Ingredients- 4 fresh apple mint leaves
- 10 ripe apricots
- 150g sugar
- 200ml water
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare a vinegar-water solution for washing the apricots. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the apricots and add a splash of vinegar. Vinegar helps to remove any residue from the fruit’s surface.
Step 2
Gently place the apricots into the prepared vinegar-water solution and let them soak for about 5 minutes. This allows time for any dirt or impurities on the surface to loosen.
Step 3
After soaking, rinse the apricots 2-3 times under clean, running water. It’s important to rinse them thoroughly to ensure no vinegar smell remains.
Step 4
Carefully pat the washed apricots dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. Ensuring they are completely dry is crucial to prevent spoilage during storage.
Step 5
Wash the apple mint leaves and pick out only the fresh leaves to add a wonderful aroma to your preserves.
Step 6
Cut the dried apricots in half along the natural seam and carefully remove the pit. Be gentle to avoid breaking the apricot flesh.
Step 7
Place the halved apricots into a clean bowl.
Step 8
Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the apricots and gently toss them to coat. Avoid mashing the fruit. The sugar will help draw out the natural juices from the apricots, creating a delicious syrup.
Step 9
Now, get a pot ready for making the preserves. Pour in the 200ml of water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
Step 10
Once the water comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low. Add the sugar-coated apricots to the pot and simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the apricots are slightly tender and the syrup begins to thicken. Be careful not to overcook, as the apricots can become mushy.
Step 11
After simmering for 5 minutes, turn off the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and the prepared apple mint leaves to enhance the flavor and aroma. The lemon juice will brighten the apricot’s natural tartness and deepen the overall taste.
Step 12
Allow the apricot preserves to cool completely. Once cooled, carefully transfer them into sterilized jars for storage. These homemade preserves are wonderful on toast, with yogurt, or even made into a refreshing apricot ade. Store in the refrigerator.
