Elegant Apricot-Sweet Potatoes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb. (approximately 1 1/2 c.) dried apricots
6 medium size (about 2 lb.) sweet potatoes
1 c. firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 Tbsp. melted butter
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. grated orange peel
12 to 15 pecan nut halves

Preparation

Wash apricots thoroughly and put in saucepan.
Add 2 cups of water.
Allow apricots to soak in covered pan for 1 hour, then cook in the same water that is simmering for 40 minutes until apricots are plump and tender.
Cool.
Drain, but reserve liquid.
Cook sweet potatoes in boiling water until tender.
Drain, cool, peel and cut lengthwise in 1/2-inch slices.
Grease 1-quart baking dish. Put in 1 layer of sweet potatoes.
Cover with layer of apricots, sprinkle with 1/2 of brown sugar.
Repeat layers with ingredients again.
Blend thoroughly the melted butter, orange juice and grated orange with 1/4 cup reserved apricot liquid.
Pour over potatoes. Bake at 375\u00b0 approximately 45 minutes, basting occasionally.
About 5 minutes before removing from oven, top with pecan halves.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.