60 gm dried apricots 1/4 cup (65 gm) butter pinch of baking soda 2 eggs, beaten boiling water 1.5 tblsp lemon juice 1 cup caster sugar grated rind of half a lemonChop the apricots and put into a bowl with the baking soda and just enough boiling water to cover. Allow to stand for 1.5 hours. Drain, but reserve the water. Rinse the apricots in running water and put into a saucepan. [Alternatively, use two kilograms of fresh apricots, chopped.]
Cook the dried apricots in as little reserved soaking water as necessary - in either case, cook the fruit until tender.
Press the fruit through a strainer. Add the sugar, butter, eggs, lemon juice and grated rind. Put into the top of a double boiler and cook over simmering water, stirring constantly, until thick.
Pour into warm sterilised jars and seal immediately.