Growing up we had a lot of plum and apricot trees. So my grandmother didn’t let anything go to waste. She would gather the ripened fruit run it through her food-mill. She would then boil the fruit pulp with sugar, strain. She would layer it in big flat trays and the apricot purée is then left to dry under the sun, no oven was used to dehydrate the purée. Once it has completely dried, She would then plastic wrap it and share it with all of us. She got really mad if someone dippier their fingers in the purée while it was drying in the sun. This dried apricot leather is thick and has a deep fruit flavor.
She did the same with plums and grapes but she added Nigella seeds to the grapes. Although my grandmother didn’t make margaritas out of this paste it was often enjoyed as a snack or dissolved to make summer drinks that’s so very popular in the Middle East. But I bet if I made her this Qamar al-Din margarita she might just think i am pretty cool lol ok maybe after she has a few margaritas.
Total prep time: 10 min
Serves: 2
Ingredients
1 14 ounces Qamar Al Din package**
2 cups of water (enough to fully submerge the fruit leather)
6 ounces tequila
4 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
2 ounces Qamar al Din syrup
2 tsps triple sec or grand Marnier
1 tbls coarse salt (optional to rim the glasses)
Ice cubes
Lime wedges to garnish
** you can find Qamar Al-Din at ethnic markets and Middle Eastern or Arab stores. If you cant find it substitute with apricot nectar.
Qamar Al Din Syrup:
Take the Qamar out if it’s wrap and chips it to bite size pieces. A pair of scissors might be easier for this job. Place the qamar el din fruit leather in a bowl, add the water and soak 4-5 hours stirring every hour or so. If your fruit leather is soft and pliable it will take no more than an hour or less to soften.
Add the Soaking water and the softened Qamar Al Din to a high speed blender and whiz until it’s super smooth. Strain from
Any unblended lumps if you have to.
refrigerate until ready to use
*leftover Qamar Al Din syrup is great in smoothies, lemonade or ice tea.
Directions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and Qamar al Din. Cover and shake until mixed and chilled, about 30 seconds.
With a lemon wedge run it through the rim of your glass then dip it into the salt and rim the edge.
Strain margarita mixture into the glass. Add more ice, a lime wedge and maybe a Qamar Din fruit Leather to snack on.
To make this a mocktail (non alcoholic) Drink:
Substitute the tequila with club soda and follow the exact steps.
