41 Comments

Oh, Jolene—I love that this post is about apricots (even though I don’t eat them myself!). My father passed away recently, and dried apricots were one his favorite foods in the entire world. He grew up across the street from an orchard and his summer job as a kid was, as he called it, “cuttin’ ‘cots”—taking the less-than-perfect apricots off the tree to be cut and dried in the sulfur house. I used to buy him a giant tray of fancy dried apricots for every birthday and holiday. Thanks so much for making me think of him with this post. Have a wonderful weekend.

Expand full comment
Aug 6, 2022·edited Aug 6, 2022Liked by Jolene Handy

I HAVE APRICOTS AND BLUEBERRIES STANDING BY!

Expand full comment

I always love your little bits of history. I wanted to let you know that I made these already and mine turned out so amazing. I have them floating in a little bit more syrup than you do and I used fresh basil instead of thyme. They are to die for (and they didn’t even sit overnight yet). I have extras that I am putting in the refrigerator and so I’ll get to taste them that way tomorrow night. I wish I could post a picture of mine on the comment. Thank you for this fun and historic light dessert.

Expand full comment

Oh, I just love apricots—and poached with yogurt and pistachios and some fresh thyme sounds just divine! I wonder if stewed dried apricots would work if fresh weren’t available. … Thanks also for the blueberry muffin update. I made them pretty much as you describe, and they were a big hit—no blue-tinted muffins either! Thanks for 2 more yummy recipes, Jolene!

Expand full comment
Aug 11, 2022Liked by Jolene Handy

I'm digging the NYC nostalgia, the gorgeous poaching, and let's be real - there's never too many blueb-y muffins, blue batter or not: )

Expand full comment

I will email the photo. Also, in case anyone else is reading this comment, I had to use agave syrup because we didn’t have any white sugar in the house. It worked just fine!

Expand full comment
Aug 6, 2022Liked by Jolene Handy

I love reading your posts and since I'm not a baker I always hope my daughter in law, Ruth Stroud (ruthtalksfood) will surprise me with one of your recipes. Last week she did! Thank you!!

Expand full comment

Yummy! This looks so delicious.

Expand full comment

Lovely post and photos. We add a dash of brandy to the apricots in making the syrup, then gorge on them with vanilla ice cream or yogurt. Great muffins too.

Expand full comment

Nothing like taking advantage of fruit at it's seasonal peak. It looks delicious!

Expand full comment
Aug 6, 2022Liked by Jolene Handy

Thank you for adding the pictures of the muffins, Jolene! They look beautiful 🤩 I confess I haven’t had a chance to make them yet (I ate the blueberries I had right away, straight out of the package, which is what happens to me a lot 🤦🏻‍♀️) but they are next up on my baking list!

My dad has access to tons of fresh berries where he lives (he goes and picks them himself!) and has been on a bit of a berry muffin kick, so I’m also going to share your recipe with him!

Expand full comment

The apricots look fantastic—what a great idea for lunch! Even for breakfast with that dollop of yogurt.

Expand full comment
founding
Aug 6, 2022Liked by Jolene Handy

Thanks for all of this tonight, Jolene! I loved hearing about your cozy Turkish spot in NY. It sounds like a time-honored treasure. Apricots always make me think of my Mom as they were her favorite fruit. My grandpa was a fruit grower in eastern Washington State. My Mom usually canned the apricots and also made jam. There was an occasional pie as well. But her absolute favorite way with an apricot was to simply eat and enjoy it! I wish I could make this lovely light desert for her!

Expand full comment

Lunch. Dinner. Breakfast... Mmmmmm.

Expand full comment

Thank you I’ll be baki g some blueberry muffins and tear loooovvely apricots. Yeeeesss

Expand full comment

Would someone like to collaborate with me? I have a new Substack and Patreon and am looking to grow! Open to any ideas, subscriptions and feedback.

Thank you!

jaroslavnovosyolov.substack.com

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=76807950

Expand full comment