Author Notes: When fruit is as good as it’s been this summer, it’s a crime to do much to it, so I came up with this simple dessert — it’s sort of like a cheese course and dessert all in one, with a mix of contrasting flavors and textures. Ripe apricot halves are barely kissed by the grill, and then topped with an airy spoonful of ricotta and basil and a drizzle of sherry vinegar syrup (technically a gastrique, if you want to get fancy). Dessert in a flash. —Merrill Stubbs
Serves: 4
Ingredients
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6
tablespoons turbinado (raw) sugar
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2
tablespoons sherry vinegar
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1/2
cup ricotta
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2 to 3
tablespoons mascarpone
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1
tablespoon finely chopped basil
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6
apricots, ripe but still a little firm
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Vegetable oil, for brushing
Directions
- Combine the sugar, sherry vinegar and 6 tablespoons cold water in a small, heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for about five minutes, or until syrupy. Set aside to cool.
- Whisk together the ricotta and mascarpone in a small bowl until lightened, about 30 seconds. Stir in the basil. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Heat a grill so that it’s very hot. Halve the apricots and brush the cut sides lightly with oil. Place the apricots cut-side down on the grill and cook for a couple of minutes, until char marks appear. Gently flip the apricots and cook for about 30 second on the other side, just to warm the fruit through. Remove to a platter.
- Serve the apricots while still warm (3 halves per person), with a dollop of ricotta and a drizzle of the vinegar syrup.