I saw this on facebook couple of days ago in hyderabadi cuisine:
Qubani Ka Meeta (Stewed Apricot Dessert)
Ingredients :
½ Cup Dried Apricots
3 tbsp Sugar or As per taste
2 Crushed Green Cardamom( Elaichi)
1 tsp Lemon juice
For Garnishing :
Apricot kernels
Slice of roasted and blanched Almonds and Pistachios
1 pinch Saffron threads optional
1 Edible Silver leaf (Warq) Optional
½ Cup Malai or Thick Cream or Wipped Cream
Method
In a deep bowl wash and add dried Apricots cover with water and soak overnight.
Once the apricots are moist and swollen, remove apricots from the water, dont throw the water apricots are soaked in, it is used for preparing the meetha. Do not throw away the Apricot seed/pit crack the seed remove the (Apricot Kernels) for garnishing.
In a non-stick saucepan at a medium heat, add soaking liquid and plump apricots. Allow to boil for 10- 15 minutes .
Add sugar and stir until it has completely dissolves. At a low heat add few drops of lemon juice ,add crush cardamom and saffron, stir often to prevent burning,if required,sprinkle little water or milk to prevent from burning.
Meanwhile crack the seed with a nutcracker to extract the nuts and blanch nuts in boiling water for 1 minute and remove the skin and keep aside.
Then mash apricots with spoon occasionally, Do not cook on a high heat, stir occasionally until apricots are soft and pulpy and mushy if needed add water or milk.
Remove from the heat when it reaches the desired thick consistency or into thick Compote.
Allow Qubani to cool. Garnish with apricot kernels, Almonds and Pistachios and with Malai or Wiped Cream or custard
Serve with warm or cool and Enjoy it
Tips :
Make sure Apricot are well soaked
Do not throw away the Apricot seed/pit crack the seed remove the nut for garnishing
For Quick Process- You can Pressure cook apricot along with the soaking syrup .
Stir frequently to avoid sticking.
If required,sprinkle a little water or milk to prevent from sticking or burning.
Make sure Apricots are well cooked should be soft and mushy.
Add sugar accounting to your taste.
Topped with Malai or Thick Cream or Ice-cream or Custard or Khoya.
General Info: An Apricot seeds means a small Apricot kernel inside the hard pit at the center of the apricot.
