Bacon-Wrapped Apricots Stuffed with Pistachios and Mozzarella
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Author Notes: Dried apricots are poached in a spiced vinegar, stuffed with pistachios and mozzarella, and then wrapped in bacon for a simple, unforgettable party snack. The smoky-salty bacon plays perfectly with the pickled apricots, and the pistachios and mozzarella lend a nice textural contrast. All components can be prepped in advance, and assembly is fun and easy. I've only made them in the oven but I think they'd take beautifully to the grill. They also meet my criteria for the ultimate party snack: they're easy to pick up and eat in one bite while holding a cocktail! This recipe is infinitely adaptable, so feel free to play around. A few ideas: you could make a Spanish version by substituting Serrano ham for bacon, Manchego for mozzarella, and marcona almonds for pistachios. Or substitute dried figs for apricots, pancetta for bacon, and fontina for mozzarella. If you or your guests have nut allergies, simply omit the nuts. - EmilyC
Food52 Review: Salty, sweet, crunchy and cheesy -- these are an almost perfect snack to serve with drinks. The vinegar flavor isn't very strong, but that doesn't make these any less delicious! - A&M
Serves 8
- 1/2 cup sherry vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1” piece fresh ginger root, peeled
- 3 two-inch pieces of orange peel
- 24 dried apricots (about 1 cup)
- 12 slices of bacon, cut in half crosswise (thinly-sliced bacon recommended; applewood smoked bacon, if available, is delicious here)
- 24 whole pistachios, shelled (or a slightly larger number of pistachio pieces)
- 2 to 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch cubes
- In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, water, brown sugar, cloves, allspice berries, peppercorns, ginger root, and orange peel to a boil. Add apricots, and lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the apricots are soft and plumped up but not falling apart; they should have a definite pickled flavor at this point which will develop more fully as they cool. Remove from the heat and let them cool to room temperature in the pan.
- With a sharp paring knife, cut a small lengthwise slit on one side of each apricot, and gently pry them open. Stuff each one with a piece of cheese and a pistachio. Wrap a piece of bacon around each apricot – the bacon should overlap slightly (about 1/2 inch) so they hold together once cooked. Trim the bacon if necessary. Transfer, overlap-side down, to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the apricots until the bacon is browned and crispy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate, put a toothpick in each one, and serve immediately.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Vinegar
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Dish with Meat as a Flavoring
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best One-Bite Party Snack
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13 days ago Kukla
Congratulations Emily! It is another creative and beautiful way for making delicious finger food.
12 days ago EmilyC
Thanks Kukla!
13 days ago ChefJune
Oh my goodness. I'm definitely going to be making these soon!
12 days ago EmilyC
I'd be thrilled if you try them! Let me know how they turn out if you do! I want to try them on the grill this summer.
29 days ago foxeslovelemons
Yum! I have some dried apricots that have been lurking around here. Thanks for the recipe!
28 days ago EmilyC
This is definitely a worthy way to use up those apricots! Let me know if you give this a whirl!
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I am so glad you decided to make these, they sound really delicious I can just taste it right now. They are beautiful, and easy to manage and a truly creative canape. Great job!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
You're very sweet sdebrango, thank you! I really loved how they turned out. They were my lunch one day (I know, maybe not the most virtuous of lunches!) so I'm looking forward to making them again as a true canape! : )
over 1 year ago gingerroot
YUM! These little bites sound amazing. Sherry vinegar is one of my new favorite ingredients - to my palate, everything sparkles in your mouth when you use it. I will definitely have to try these soon.
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks gingerroot! I share your love for sherry vinegar -- I reach for it constantly! I'd love to know what you think if you try them. Next time I make them, I want to try them on the grill (on water-soaked skewers) -- I'm thinking they'd taste fabulous with a little smoky, grilled flavor!
over 1 year ago lapadia
Amazing, sounds delish!!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks so much, lapadia!
over 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian
This sounds wonderful EmilyC!! I'll bet they're beautiful on the tray! And I love the idea of the apricots with the bacon. I'm going to have to have an appetizer party so I can make all these wonderful apps that were posted this week!!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks so much ChezSuzanne, and you're right -- they do like really nice on the tray! And I'm right there with you -- you could throw a fantastic appetizer party using recipes from this week's contest. Be sure to let me know if you end up trying these!
over 1 year ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
This sounds so good EmilyC! Please pass the tray! I've made a sandwich with mozzarella, apricots, and pancetta before, so I know the flavors are good together, but with pickled Apricots?! That sounds amazing!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks fiveandspice -- they're pretty addictive, I will tell you that! And now I want to try that sandwich you described -- yum! I can't wait to try your cinnamon sugar breakfast puffs, by the way. Knowing my weakness for sweets--and anything with brown butter--I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time leaving them alone!
over 1 year ago Midge
The pickled apricots alone sound so delicious. I can only imagine the whole package is sensational. When is your next cocktail party? ;)
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks, Midge, you're very kind! No cocktail parties on the horizon for us, but I'd really like to host one after seeing all of the great entries this week! : )
over 1 year ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
These sound amazing, and make me want to pickle some apricots!! Love the sweet, tangy, savory, cheesy, crunchy combo you've got going on.
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks HLA! I'd never pickled apricots before...they turned out really well. I tried a version of the canape with unpickled apricots but preferred the pickled ones hands down!
over 1 year ago arielleclementine
these sound wonderful! i love dried apricots and bacon-wrapped anything- will have to try!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks so much -- definitely let me know if you try them!
over 1 year ago EmilyC
Thanks Summer of Eggplant! I'm a big fan of salty+sweet, too, and the spice and vinegar really come through as well.
over 1 year ago Summer of Eggplant
This sounds quite interesting, I love salty + sweet.