Apricot kernel oil (Mokhado)

Apricot oil is found in many beauty and personal care products. With its distinct aroma and health properties, it is a popular ingredient in beauty industry. It is less known as a food ingredient, yet it is tasty and a good source of unsaturated fats. Apricot kernel oil from Mokhado is a pure cold-pressed extra virgin oil. This fragrant healthy oil is great for drizzling, frying and roasting.
It has a lovely smell and a slightly sweet flavour.

Sweet potato and blood orange soup
Ingredients:
2tbsp apricot kernel oil
175g carrots (4 small sized)
1 shallot
2 small (180g) sweet potatos
1 big blood orange, zest and juice
1tsp grated ginger
4tbsp red lentils
1 Knorr vegetable stock pot

Thinly slice the shallot and carrots and fry in the frying pan with 2tbsp of apricot kernel oil for about 7 minutes, until the shallot becomes translucent. Remove from the heat and add the contents into a medium sized pan. Add the chopped sweet potatoes, zest and juice of 1 blood orange, grated ginger and red lentils, as well as one Knorr vegetable stock pot (or any vegetable stock cube or a tbsp of powdered stock). Pour enough water to cover all the vegetables. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and cook simmering for half an hour. Once cooked, blitz with a hand blender. Serve hot, with a dollop of Greek style yogurt.
It is an easy to cook soup, flavourful and colourful. The apricot kernel oil is great for frying, and adds a lovely sweet note and aroma to the dish.

I also used this oil in a chicken tray bake: chicken thighs and drumsticks, mixed with wedges of butternut squash, chopped dried apricots, celery stick, preserved lemons and lots of ras el hanout spice. And again, this oil works beautifully with the roasted chicken and vegetables. Together with ras el hanout it gives an Eastern twist to a simple chicken tray bake.

It is lovely in sweet dishes as well. I made a batch of chocolate frosting last week, and it was too thick for spreading on the cupcakes. A dash of apricot kernel oil made the frosting glossier and easier to spread.

Chocolate cupcakes

Apricot kernel oil from Mokhado is an excellent versatile product.

If you are not able to source the Mokhado oil and want to buy an apricot kernel oil, make sure you are buying the oil which is specified as edible. You don't want to eat the oil which has been manufactured for the beauty industry, i.e. for massage, as it might contain additives and preservatives.

For more information on Mokhado range of oil, visit Mokhado.

Disclosure: I received a selection of oil for the purposes of testing and reviewing. All opinions are mine.