Alphabet April and Apple Apricot & Almond Afters!

Alphabet April and Apple Apricot & Almond Afters!

© Life Diet Health 2015

© Life Diet Health 2015

Well, today starts the A-Z blogging challenge! 🙂 (I’m currently listed as participant 684) I had hoped to be more prepared for this month and think what I was posting in advance but it seems (as usual) my planning didn’t always reach my kitchen! 😛

Thankfully the alphabet starts with ‘A’

so there are plenty of ingredients I could have used (and I’ve used a few)! and lots of wonderful recipes I could start with! I haven’t set myself a specific topic for this challenge as I have a feeling it will be difficult enough without stressing myself thinking of obscure posts for Q, Z, or even Y and V. So, A for Alphabet. A for April. A for Apple, Apricot & Almond Afters! 🙂

I wonder how many ‘A’s’ I could put in one sentence!? Ask any adult about all absolutely awesome … ? apple, apricot and almond afters! Lol 😛 that’s 12 consecutive a words without really trying! 🙂 Anyway… back to the point! 😛 This recipe was created especially for this challenge and it is so versatile it can be whatever you like! Use it as a yummy start to the day for breakfast, on its own or with pancakes.

© Life Diet Health 2015

Have it as a mid morning (or afternoon) snack, serve as a quick dessert or make it fancy and add some vanilla (coconut/soya) cream. 🙂 Have a little jiggle with the flavours until you create what’s perfect for you! I’ve also made a raw version (for you Milica! & Mladen :P) and a cooked version too!

Gather

• 1 large Apple
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 30-100ml water (if following the cooked recipe)
• 6-7 dried Apricots
• 10-15 Almonds
• 1/2 tablespoon rose water
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon Mixed spice
• Flaked Almonds (for topping)

Prepare

1. Chop the apple into bite size pieces and put in a pan
   

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   (for raw recipe put in a bowl). Sprinkle some lemon juice over and top up with water (toss to cover pieces completely if following raw recipe and don’t add water). Heat on a low heat until soft but holding their shape (add more water if necessary).

   

   © Life Diet Health 2015
2. Chop the apricots into thin strips, then dice.
3. Put the whole almonds in a blender and blitz until you have fine crumbs.
4. Mix the rose water with the vanilla and mixed spice.
5. Assemble! Put a layer of apple in a cup and dot with the spice mix. Add a layer of apricot followed by a layer of almond crumb. Repeat twice.
6. Sprinkle with flaked almonds (these are great dry toasted).
7. Enjoy!

Serve & Store

• This will keep assembled in the fridge for several hours. After this time the apples will start to lose their shape as the juices start to come out (raw and cooked). This however gives it a lovely taste but the different textures will not be so pronounced.
• Serve as it is for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner.
• Add some coconut / soya cream to the top and sprinkle the flaked almonds on the cream.
• Use to top a plain (free from) sponge.
• Put all the bowls on the table and let everyone create their own!
• Have fun with my ‘A’ recipe!

© Life Diet Health 2015

© Life Diet Health 2015

© Life Diet Health 2015

© Life Diet Health 2015