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Apricot Dessert with Walnuts – Cevizli Kayisi Tatlisi

By Ozlem Warren on May 31, 2010 in Cakes and Desserts, Uncategorised 0

One of Turkey’s most prolific fruits is the apricot. Because of their abundance, some of the yearly harvest is allowed to dry in the hot summer sun in order to be enjoyed all year round. Malatya, a city in southeast Turkey, is particularly famous for excellent dried apricots which are exported throughout the world.

Apricots are great snacks; they are packed with fiber, antioxidants and their naturally rich, wonderful flavor is icing on the cake. This easy dessert is great for parties, sharing with friends or family or just indulging yourself.

Serves 4-6

Preparation time – 10 minutes Cooking time – 25 minutes

225 gr / 8 oz dried Turkish apricots
3 fl oz / 1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar

For the filling:

75 gr /1/2 cup crushed walnuts
50 gr / 1/4 cup sugar

crushed pistachio nuts for garnish

Preheat oven to 180 C/ 350 F

Soak the dried apricots in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Then drain the water.

Split open the apricots and stuff each apricot with a spoonful of crushed walnut and sugar mixture and close it up. Slightly grease a baking tray with oil and place the apricots on it. Pour the water over the tray. Place a little butter on the top of each stuffed apricot. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the apricots and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.

Arrange them in a serving dish and sprinkle over some crushed pistachio nuts. This light dessert goes well with some vanilla ice cream or clotted cream.

Afiyet Olsun,

Ozlem

A Slice of London and Cotswolds

By Ozlem Warren on May 29, 2010 in A Slice of England, Uncategorised 0

We had a wonderful weekend of indulgence; we were at the Royal Opera House in London and saw the amazing La Traviata, it was truly mesmerising. I feel one of the joys of life is to be able to watch such wonderful performances like this live; ROH has many more productions coming up (Carmen and Marriage of Figaro are amongst). So if you plan on being in London this summer, make sure to check out the ROH’s schedule!

The next treat was seeing our dear old neighbours, Maria and Tom from Austin, in London. We had a lovely trip to the Cotswolds to show them the English countryside; the flowers in full blossom and sun in our face, it was truly magical to spend time together. So special to see friends near and far and it makes the world seem smaller!
Here are a couple of photos to share, I hope they inspire you to travel whenever you can!

Apricot Cake – Kayisili Kek

By Ozlem Warren on May 10, 2010 in Cakes and Desserts, Uncategorised 3

Apricot is one of Turkey’s most prolific fruit. Because of their abundance, some of the yearly harvest is allowed to dry in the hot summer sun in order to be enjoyed all year round. Malatya, a city in southeast Turkey, is particularly famous for excellent dried apricots which are exported throughout the world.

Apricots are great snacks; being packed with fiber and antioxidants, very healthy too. We love to eat them fresh, dried as well as in cakes and desserts in Turkey. Afternoon tea is a great ritual at home, where ladies prepare lovely cakes and pastries for friends and family, enjoyed over a glass of cay – tea – (this ritual still keeps going strong in our home in England and very popular with my children!). This apricot cake has been inspired by the artisan bakery Popina’s lovely plum tart; it is light, tasty and great with coffee and tea!

Serves 4-6

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

100 gr/3.5 ounces/1/2 cup golden caster sugar
1 egg
40 ml/1 1/3 lf oz groundnut oil (or any vegetable oil)
60 ml/2 lf oz whole milk
140 gr/ 5 ounce plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
A few drops of vanilla extract
100 gr/3.5 ounce dried apricots, halved
1 1/2 tablespoon apricot jam to glaze

Preheat the oven to 180 C/ 350 F/ Gas 4

Put the sugar and egg in a mixing bowl and mix with an electric whisk. Add the oil, milk, flour, baking powder and vanilla, mix well until thoroughly combined.

Transfer to a greased cake tin and spread evenly. Place the apricot halves cut side up, over the mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until deep golden. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes.

In the meantime, put the apricot jam in a small saucepan and heat gently until melted and runny. Brush the jam all over the tart with a pastry brush and leave for a few minutes before serving.