Thursday, October 27, 2011

Old Skool No-bake Apricot Ginger slice

This is such an 'old-school' slice. It's perfect!

Here's another recipe from New Zealand's Annabel Langbein, though this time from her new 'Free Range in the City' cookbook. I actually bought her previous book, The Free-Range Cook, after making this panna cotta, and the new one is also a great read if this teaser is anything to go by.

Although it's billed as a cookbook based on eating well, for city dwellers (as opposed to country lifers), this recipe for Apricot and Ginger Slice would be right at home at a school fete, country fair or farmhouse kitchen. It's also no-bake, so it's quick to make and all it needs is a quick chill in the refrigerator and it's ready to gobble up.

Note: My "Hey you, you're not allowed to buy any more cookbooks unless it is an absolute emergency" rule is in great danger of being broken after tasting this recipe. The new cookbook is released here next week, I think, so another couple more days before we see how strong my resolve is. Hint: I'm a usually a weakling!

Ginger and Apricot Slice
makes about 20 squares

Ingredients
100g unsalted butter
3/4 cup (185ml) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup (150g) dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup (100g) crystallised ginger, finely chopped, plus extra for topping
1 cup (90g) desiccated coconut
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tblsp lemon juice
375 plain biscuits, crushed to fine crumbs
2 tblsp pistachios, shelled and chopped

Icing:
50g unsalted butter
1 tsp lemon juice
3 cups icing sugar, sifted

Method
1. Line a 30cm x 24cm Swiss roll pan or baking pan with baking paper.
2. Heat butter and condensed milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until the butter melts. Remove from heat.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the apricots, crystallised ginger, coconut, ground ginger and lemon juice. Then add crushed biscuits and stir to combine.
4. Add butter and condensed milk mixture and stir well to combine.
5. Press into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
6. For the icing: Melt the butter and mix with the lemon juice, icing sugar and 2 tablespoons of boiling water,  until smooth. Spread icing over the chilled base and sprinkle with extra chopped cryst. allised ginger and pistachios.
7. Leave to set, then cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in a cool place.

recipe adapted from delicious magazine

Ingredients, including condensed milk, chopped crystallised ginger, crushed biscuits (I used Nice biscuits), coconut and dried apricots

It's so easy - just mix everything together and press into the pan.
The icing is also easy to make, and it tastes slightly tangy.

Cut the slice in squares to serve

  You could also wrap squares in plastic wrap to sell at the school fete.
Or wrap in foil to take to work for little lunch.

12 comments:

  1. I'm fairly certain I make that same rule at least once a week and then break it almost as frequently. I might have to buy that cookbook after seeing this...apricot and ginger sound like a dreamy flavor combo.

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  2. I failed miserably the other day with my cook book ban. This looks so lovely and easy to make. Might make some of these for work next week

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  3. Lol! Stay strong! Who am I kidding, I'd be the same and go right out and buy it :/ especially after eating these babies!

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  4. Another cookbook - just what I need! I can't wait to jump into this one!

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  5. Ooooh! You're killing me. I've sworn off sweets for a few weeks til our trip up to QLD (ok, except for today when I made Halloween cookies, ha). Seeing this slice is too tempting. Love the flavors!

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  6. these slices are just sooo pretty to look at!!! must be the colours and the layers...and the textures! hmmm dreamy!

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  7. The slices look so summery. i like no bake good just coz of convenience.

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  8. Every now and then, we all need something that reminds us of our childhood. This one does it for me! I can taste it just by reading your description of it! :D

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  9. Wow, apricot and ginger sounds and looks delicious, great combination of flavors and most important...very simple to make.
    Hope you have a wonderful week ahead Bel :-)

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  10. Things like this remind me of the school canteen - comfortingly retro!

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  11. Beautiful colour...cozy, warm and so delightful.

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  12. This looks so good. Looks like something that would be great to take to work and share:)

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