It's Recipe Day! Apricot Recipe Day!

I just recently discovered that this month is National Apricot Month, and today is National Apricot Day.

Do you know where apricots were discovered? They were discovered in China over 4,000 years ago and made their way to the Mediterranean. Spanish missionaries brought them to the "New World." The first commercial orchard started in California in 1792. Today, ninety-seven percent of all apricots grown here in the United States are from California orchards.

So in honor of apricots, I thought I'd share a yummy recipe with you.

Apricot Couscous Pilaf

Ingredients:
1/2 tablespoon butter
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (16-ounce) can apricot halves, drained and diced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 1/2 cups cooked instant couscous or white or brown rice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Process:
Melt butter with oil over medium-high heat in large saucepan. Stir in onions, bell pepper and cumin. Saute 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add diced apricot, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. Stir in cooked couscous or rice until all ingredients are well combined; cook, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro. (I also either add slivered almonds in the saute process or I garnish with them.)

Serve with grilled or roasted poultry, meat or seafood. Use as stuffing for poultry or peppers. Perfect as a light entree with tossed salad and bread.

Makes 8 servings

*Recipe courtesy of California Apricot Advisory Board

If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear what you think about it.

Hugs,
Jenni