Kaymaklı Kayısı Tatlısı or Apricots Stuffed with Kaymak

Turkey is the leader in the production of Prunus armeniaca also known as Apricots or in Turkey Kayısı.   Kayısı is a gorgeous fruit that can be used in pilavs, making pies, tarts, jams, and preserves.  One of my favorites for using apricots is Kaymaklı Kayısı Tatlısı or Apricots Stuffed with Kaymak.  If you are serving a heavy meal, this dessert could be served as a perfect ending to your meal.  It is light, not too sweet and makes for a fabulous presentation.  Hope you enjoy it! Afiyet olsun!

Kaymaklı Kayısı Tatlısı or Apricots Stuffed with Kaymak

Ingredients

Apricots/Kayısı cooking.

• 20 Dried Apricots, preferably from Turkey
• 2 Cups Water
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1 Cup 1 Cup Kaymak (if you are not in Turkey, you can use Clotted Cream, Ricotta or Plain Labneh, but unfortunately it will not be as good as Kaymak)
• 1/4 Cup Crushed Pistachios for garnish

Cooking Directions

1. Cover the dried apricots with two cups of water and allow them to reconstitute overnight or at least several hours
2. Place the apricots and the soaking liquid into a 2 quart saucepan
3. Add the sugar and lemon juice, stir well
4. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and cook until soft about 15-20 minutes
5. Remove the apricots with a slotted spoon to a plate to cool
6. An optional step is for a thicker syrup place the saucepan back on the heat and boil about 10 minutes more until thicker
7. Once the apricots are cool, take a spoonful of the kaymak and put it in the center of the apricots, making it look nice
8. Place the stuffed apricots on a serving platter and sprinkle the tops with the crushed pistachios
9. Drizzle the apricots and the plate with the syrup
10. Afiyet Olsun!