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.
Samantha, I’m so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing this sweet memory of your obviously beloved father. I love hearing about “cutting’ cots”, where did he grow up? (If you don’t mind sharing) So lovely, your gifts of the fancy apricots! 🧡
Thank you, Jolene ❤️ He was born and raised in San Jose, as was I—my family is in the minority that was around long before the tech boom. My dad’s favorite source for dried apricots was a stand called Casa de Fruta, which is between San Jose and Monterey. Their online store ships all over the U.S.!
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.
Randee! Email me the picture! (You can just reply to the newsletter email and attach :) I’m so glad you made them and you love it! And basil is one of my favorite things in the world, I’m gonna try that with the apricots next. Thank you for letting me know and for your kind comments! 🧡
I will email it. Also, in case anyone else is reading this, I used agave syrup because we didn't have any white sugar in the house. It turned out just fine.
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!
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!
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!!
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.
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!
I’m guilty of grabbing a handful of blueberries before baking (during baking…after baking… 😂)myself, Kiki! I was eating apricots while poaching the others :) So glad you’ll share recipe with your dad, and that’s wonderful he has access to picking fresh berries! 🫐💙
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!
Hi, Pam, Thank you for sharing these memories of your Mom and grandpa. When I read your Mom’s favorite way to enjoy was simply to eat it, I chuckled because when I was poaching the apricots I was also eating one in the other hand! Have a great weekend!
And you, Jolene! Off to hear music in Seattle for a couple evenings... So good to be able to do this. Last weekend, hiking in the Mt Baker area. Beautiful.
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.
Samantha, I’m so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing this sweet memory of your obviously beloved father. I love hearing about “cutting’ cots”, where did he grow up? (If you don’t mind sharing) So lovely, your gifts of the fancy apricots! 🧡
Thank you, Jolene ❤️ He was born and raised in San Jose, as was I—my family is in the minority that was around long before the tech boom. My dad’s favorite source for dried apricots was a stand called Casa de Fruta, which is between San Jose and Monterey. Their online store ships all over the U.S.!
Guess who’s googling Casa de Fruta right now!? Thank you, Samantha!
I HAVE APRICOTS AND BLUEBERRIES STANDING BY!
I love the all-caps! 😂 ENTHUSIASM! Let me know how it goes! 🫐🧡
This will be second batch of the awesome blueberry muffins. Excited to try your apricots. 😀
🧡😊
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.
Randee! Email me the picture! (You can just reply to the newsletter email and attach :) I’m so glad you made them and you love it! And basil is one of my favorite things in the world, I’m gonna try that with the apricots next. Thank you for letting me know and for your kind comments! 🧡
I will email it. Also, in case anyone else is reading this, I used agave syrup because we didn't have any white sugar in the house. It turned out just fine.
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!
So glad you made the blueberry muffins and were happy with them, Ruth!
The restaurant actually made the dish with rehydrated dried Turkish apricots, so yes! Here’s a link, I’ll post next week in the newsletter as well! 🧡https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-soften-dried-fruit-83724?amp=1
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: )
NEVER EVER! 🫐 😂
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!
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!!
Hi, Judy! Ruth is so wonderful and she told me she made the muffins 🫐 Thanks so much, I love Ruth and Jeff’s newsletter — and, them! :)
Yummy! This looks so delicious.
Hi, Julia! They’re good and easy to make! Talk soon :)
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.
Thank you so much —
Brandy and ice cream sound great to me!
Nothing like taking advantage of fruit at it's seasonal peak. It looks delicious!
Thank you, Vicki, market days are such a treat! 🍑
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!
I’m guilty of grabbing a handful of blueberries before baking (during baking…after baking… 😂)myself, Kiki! I was eating apricots while poaching the others :) So glad you’ll share recipe with your dad, and that’s wonderful he has access to picking fresh berries! 🫐💙
I’m glad I’m not alone! 😅
The apricots look fantastic—what a great idea for lunch! Even for breakfast with that dollop of yogurt.
Yes! and for snacks, too! Thank you, Joan! 🧡
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!
Hi, Pam, Thank you for sharing these memories of your Mom and grandpa. When I read your Mom’s favorite way to enjoy was simply to eat it, I chuckled because when I was poaching the apricots I was also eating one in the other hand! Have a great weekend!
Lunch. Dinner. Breakfast... Mmmmmm.
I’m with you, Alison! Don’t forget ‘snack’ 😂🧡
Well then, to celebrate each written page or errand run... Seriously, I love apricots and must try this. Thank you!
Yes! Have a great weekend, Alison!
And you, Jolene! Off to hear music in Seattle for a couple evenings... So good to be able to do this. Last weekend, hiking in the Mt Baker area. Beautiful.
Enjoy!
Thank you I’ll be baki g some blueberry muffins and tear loooovvely apricots. Yeeeesss
Let me know how it goes, Tabi!
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