Ingredients

serves 8

　　2 pounds ripe apricots

　　1 cup sugar, or more to taste

　　3/4 cup water

　　Juice of 1/2 lemon

　　

Step 1

Wash the apricots and remove stones and stems.

　　

Step 2

Put the sugar in a pan with the water and lemon juice and bring to the boil (this amount of sugar gives a tart, not-too-sweet taste). Simmer 5 minutes and let it cool.

　　

Step 3

Turn the apricots to a paste in a blender or food processor. Add the syrup and blend to a cream.

　　

Step 4

Continue as in the “basic method” (page 423).

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf