Egyptian Apricot Sauce for Kofta

Elevate your kofta dishes with the rich, sweet-tangy allure of Egyptian Apricot Sauce. This vibrant recipe blends tender, rehydrated dried apricots with warm spices like cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, creating a deeply aromatic and flavorful accompaniment. Enhanced with a touch of honey and fresh lemon juice, the sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and zest, while a silky texture—achieved by blending—ensures a luxurious finish. Perfect for drizzling over grilled kofta or serving as a dipping sauce, this quick and easy recipe (ready in just 30 minutes) adds a Middle Eastern flair to your table. Whether paired with lamb, beef, or vegetarian kofta, this apricot sauce is a must-try for fans of bold, unique flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1.5 cups water
• 0.5 medium (finely chopped) onion
• 2 (minced) garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Place the dried apricots in a small bowl and cover with 1.5 cups of hot water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes to soften.

Step 2

While the apricots are soaking, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the cinnamon stick, ground cumin, and ground coriander. Toast the spices for about 1 minute to release their fragrance.

Step 5

Once the apricots have softened, transfer them along with the soaking water into the saucepan. Mix well.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apricots break down into a soft consistency.

Step 7

Remove the cinnamon stick from the sauce, then use an immersion blender (or a standard blender) to puree the mixture until smooth. Be cautious with hot liquids when blending.

Step 8

Return the blended sauce to the saucepan. Stir in honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add a touch more honey for sweetness or lemon juice for tanginess, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm or at room temperature as a dipping sauce or drizzled over kofta.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	587.3 grams (587.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	558

Total Fat 28.90g	37%
Saturated Fat 4.40g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1200mg	52%
Total Carbohydrate 79.60g	29%
Dietary Fiber 9.40g	34%
Total Sugars 55.20g
Protein 4.40g	9%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 127mg	10%
Iron 4mg	19%
Potassium 1057mg	22%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.6%

Protein: 3.0%

Carbs: 53.4%