Apricot Sauce

Total Time: 3 hrs 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb dried apricot
• 3 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken in several pieces
• 1 large lemon, zest of
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Recipe

• 1 place the apricots in a heavy saucepan with the water, the cinnamon sticks and the lemon zest, cover, and let stand at room temperature for three hours.
• 2 set over medium heat, bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer gently, covered for 35 to 40 minutes until the apricots are very soft.
• 3 remove from heat and discard the cinnamon sticks and the lemon peel.
• 4 using an immersion blender (or, if you prefer a blender or food processor, but the stick blender is so much easier), puree the apricots and the cooking liguid.
• 5 add the lemon juice, sugar and butter to the apricot mixture in the saucepan and return to low heat, simmering the mixture uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about ten minutes.
• 6 cool to room temperature before serving (and try to resist constant tasting).