Qubani Ka Meetha (Stewed Apricot Dessert) SNC Challenge For The Month Of May2013

Qubani Ka Meetha. Though I'm from south india but never heard of this sweet before. One more thing just want to add I don't like apricot at all. When i saw my email this was the challenge for this month, for some time i thought i will skip this month challenge. But my hubby told me without trying how can you give up and it was a real challenge for me to cook this sweet. I asked my hubby will you eat this if i cook and he replied "You are asking me will i eat sweet". Then suddenly i realize OMG, he can eat sweet in any form and i should not be worrying so much to cook this... Belive me my whole flat was smelling of this sweet only while cooking and i did not like the smell, but my hubby was really enjoying. I serve with vanilla ice cream and it turn out to be the hit in my family. It was tasting so good even i was tempted to have one bite.... All thanks to Roha from Hyderabadi Cuisine for hosting this month challenge and give me opportunity to try out some thing new and yummy..

 

 

This is the wonderful thing in SNC group, where you get to try every month new new varieties. Thank you Divya Pramil for stating this group and making every one proud to be a part of this group.

 

 

 

Ingredients
½ Cup Dried Apricots
3 tbsp Sugar- As per taste
2 Crushed Green Cardamom( Elaichi)
1 tsp Lemon juice.

 

 

For Garnishing
Apricot kernels
Slice of roasted and blanched Almonds and Pistachios
½ Cup vanilla ice Cream.

 

 

Cooking Method
In a deep bowl wash and add dried Apricots cover with water and soak overnight.
Once the apricots is moist and swollen, remove apricots with a slotted spoon and then drain the apricots from the soaking liquid water aside.(The soaking syrup is used for preparing the meetha)
Then de-seed and keep aside.
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 to prevent caramelisation , add the crush cardamom.
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 ice cream.
Serve warm or cool and Enjoy..