Chilled Braised Apricots With Yogurt, Honey And Pistachios

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Heat oven to 300 degrees. Peel lemons, avoiding white pith, and toss strips into a large saucepan. Squeeze juice through a strainer into saucepan; add sugar and 2 cups water. Cover and bring to a boil, stirring once. Remove lid and simmer until mixture reduces slightly, about 10 minutes.

2. Step 2

   Halve and pit apricots and place them cut-side down in a single layer in a small roasting pan. Apricots should be snug. Strain reduced hot syrup over them. Cover fruit flush with foil and braise in oven for 5 minutes. Turn apricots over carefully, replace foil, and braise 5 minutes more. Remove apricots from oven, turn again and cool. Transfer apricots, covered by their liquid, to a shallow container with cover, and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

3. Step 3

   Remove apricot halves from their liquid and drain on paper towels. Pour syrup in a saucepan and reduce over high heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. In a small bowl, stir yogurt, confectioners' sugar and salt together until smooth. Spoon warm sauce on each plate, topped by 2 or 3 apricot halves. Spoon yogurt into their centers. Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with nuts.