There are various kinds of apricot sweets in the Middle East, some stuffed with thick clotted cream, others with chopped nuts, but they all rely on using good-quality dried apricots. These are incredibly simple to make – just a whiz in the food processor and a bit of gentle rolling by hand. Don’t soak the apricots first, and make sure they are completely dry before blitzing. As a variation, try mixing the paste with coarsely chopped pistachios, or use desiccated coconut instead of caster sugar when rolling the mixture into balls.