Hints from Heloise

Dear Readers: Here is a flashback recipe from my mother, the original Heloise, that we think was printed in the mid-‘70s or earlier. It is a delicious apricot jam made from dried fruit. Here it is:

“Fill a big fruit jar half-way with dried apricots. Pour boiling water over them and let sit overnight.

“The next day put these apricots in the refrigerator. Let them sit one more day. By then, they will have become swollen and juicy. Pour the water off, put the apricots, as is, into your blender (or electric mixer) and give them a whirl. At this time one may add a few spoons of sugar or a sugar substitute. You will come out with the thickest, most exciting jam you have ever tasted.

“If you like a wee bit of a sour taste, thinly slice four or five slivers of fresh lemon and put in the jar before pouring the boiling water over the fruit.

“I have also tried this with other dried fruits such as pears and peaches. This is wonderful when put on waffles or pancakes. – Heloise”