By Alethea Mauro

Cheese and fruit is always a match made in heaven!  This simple dessert is the perfect no fuss sweet treat to serve at a party this summer….no plates needed, just pop one in your mouth!!

Ingredients:

20 ripe apricots

Cheese filling:

250g cream cheese

4 tbsp honey, plus extra to drizzle

2 tbsp lemon juice

Almond crunch:

1/2 cup almonds

2 tbspn honey

sea salt

 

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees and line a cookie tray with baking paper.  In a small bowl place almonds and drizzle over honey. Mix well so all the almonds  are coated with honey.  Spread the almond mixture onto the baking tray and sprinkle with a little bit of sea salt.  Bake in oven for approx 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them burning.  Remove from oven and allow to cool before roughly chopping.

2. Meanwhile wash apricots and cut in half and de-seed.  Warm a griddle pan on medium heat and place the apricots flesh side down onto the grill.  Cook them until they soften and have distinct grill marks on the flesh (this takes approximately 5-10 minutes).  Place the grilled apricots on a serving platter flesh side up and place in fridge to cool.

3. Using an electric mixer (or mix master bowl) place the cream cheese and honey and beat  until lump free.  Add the lemon juice and continue to whip the mixture until light and fluffy, this should take approx 3-5 minutes.

4. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into the centre of the apricots, sprinkle some honey almonds on top and drizzle with a little honey.  They are yummy served straight away or can be kept chilled in the fridge until serving time.  They keep well in fridge overnight, so can be made in advance for a party.