Dried apricots are fat-free and packed with nutrients that are good for blood pressure and help to control cholesterol.
They contain lycopene, potassium, beta-carotene and pectin – plus they are a rich source of iron too. The drying process may rob them of some vitamin C but it more than makes up for it with these extra nutritional benefits.
Apricots are also low in sodium which makes them perfect for including as part of a blood-pressure busting diet.
When it comes to selecting dried apricots make sure you go for the organic variety since these won’t have been exposed to sulfur dioxide – a process that makes them retain their orange color. Organic apricots are a brown color, and as well as being healthier – they are tastier.
Ingredients
- 12 dried apricot halves
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1 tbs margarine
- ¼ tsp cardamom
- Pinch salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 ½ cups reduced sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup raisins
- 1/3 cup toasted almonds
- Fresh rosemary sprigs to garnish
Instructions
- Chop apricots into small slices.
- Melt the margarine in a non-stick saucepan and add onion, rice, cardamom and seasoning.
- Cook over a medium heat for 8 minutes.
- Stir in the broth, almonds raisins and apricots and bring to a simmer, reducing heat to low.
- Cover pan and leave until broth is absorbed, about 20 minutes then remove from heat and leave to stand for 5 minutes.
- Fluff up with a fork and garnish with the rosemary sprigs.
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