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Welcome to this website where my French accent, Lebanese blood and Mediterranean appetite guide a bubbly kitchen in the heart of Miami, Florida.

Khoshaf

Khoshaf is a dried fruit salad made by rehydrating some Amareddine (an apricot fruit leather). The base is sweetened with a simple syrup and a few drops of orange blossom water and rose water. You can add the dried fruits that you prefer; we usually include pine nuts, almonds, pistachios, dried apricots and prunes.

The aromatic travel around the globe is guaranteed!

I cut the dried apricots and prunes for two reasons: every spoonful will have a little of everything and to avoid overpowering big pieces.

Bon appétit!

 
 

Khoshaf / Dried Fruit Salad

Recipe credits: Rafaella Sargi
Serves 6 to 8 persons.

Ingredients
1 cup whole blanched almonds
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 cup raw cashews
200g (7oz) Amareddine (apricot fruit leather)
3 cups boiling water
1 Tablespoon rose water
1 Tablespoon orange blossom water
1 cup raw pistachios (shelled)
1 cup prunes, pitted, cut into quarters
1 cup dried apricots, pitted, cut into quarters
Fresh pomegranate kernels, for serving

Syrup Ingredients
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water

Directions
Prep all the ingredients.
You will need one big heatproof mixing bowl, a whisk, food safe plastic wrap, a small sauce pan, and a medium bowl.

Put the almonds, cashews and pine nuts in a bowl, cover with fresh water and let them soak for at least two hours.

Cut the apricot fruit leather in large squares and place them in a heat proof mixing bowl. Pour 3 cups of boiling water on top. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for two hours. Try mixing from time to time using a whisk. You are looking to dissolve the apricot fruit leather completely until you reach a sort of “apricot juice”.

Meanwhile, make the simple syrup. Place 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let the sugar completely melt. Remove from the heat.

Pour the simple syrup over the apricot juice and mix. Add the rose water and orange blossom water and mix again.

Transfer the sweetened apricot juice mix to a serving bowl and add the diced dried fruits (apricots and prunes), almonds, cashews, and pine nuts. Rinse the pistachios briefly and add them to the fruit salad. Chill for a few hours. It is ready!

Serve in individual bowl with a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate kernels.

Enjoy!

 
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