Date and Dried Apricot Carpaccio with Fresh Gremolata and Dukkah

Ingredients

• 11 Medjool dates (Use 10–12; soak in hot water, then drain and remove skins and pits.)
• 11 Dried apricots (Use 10–12.)
• 0.333 cup Extra-virgin olive oil (Plus a very light spray of olive oil on the parchment; spray amount not specified.)
• 3 tbsp Parsley (Finely chopped.)
• 0.5 Shallot (Finely diced.)
• 1 clove Garlic (Minced.)
• 1 tbsp Ginger (Minced.)
• 1 Lime zest (Zest from 1 lime.)
• Flaky salt (To taste.)
• Freshly ground black pepper (To taste.)
• Homemade dukkah (Generous scattering; recipe is on the author's page, but amounts are not provided here.)
• Olive oil spray (For very lightly spraying the parchment; amount not specified.)
• Toasted bread (For serving; amount not specified.)
• Cheese (Your choice, to serve; amount not specified.)
• Hot water (For soaking the dates; amount not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   Soak the dates in hot water until softened. Drain them, remove the skins and pits, and allow the dates to cool.

2. 2

   Cut four pieces of parchment paper slightly larger than the serving plates. Spray the parchment very lightly with olive oil.

3. 3

   Divide the dates and dried apricots into two portions. For each portion, arrange dates and apricots alternately between two pieces of parchment to create a marbled pattern.

4. 4

   Using a meat pounder, gently pound each portion until thin and evenly flattened, keeping the fruit within the edges of the parchment.

5. 5

   Carefully remove the top parchment from each carpaccio. Invert each onto a serving plate, then peel away the remaining parchment.

6. 6

   Mix the olive oil with the chopped parsley and diced shallot.

7. 7

   Add the minced garlic and ginger to the oil mixture. Season with flaky salt and freshly ground black pepper.

8. 8

   Rub the gremolata gently over each carpaccio, then finish with a generous scattering of homemade dukkah.

9. 9

   Serve with toasted bread and your choice of cheese.

Notes

The homemade dukkah recipe is referenced as being on the author's page but its ingredients and quantities are not included in this source. Soaking time and the amount of hot water are not specified; toasted bread and cheese are suggested accompaniments.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• vegetarian
• gluten-free without bread
• no-cook
• Middle Eastern
• party food