Serves 6

2 cups fresh or frozen apricot halves

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon water

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1½ cups apricot jam

Scones

• Place apricots, lemon juice, and 1 cup water in a blender or food processor. Pulse until puréed. Strain the apricots into a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

• Dissolve cornstarch in 1 tablespoon of water and add to the boiling mixture. Stir until blended and slightly thickened. Add apricot jam and whisk until jam has melted and is completely blended.

• Pour apricot mixture into 1 or more fondue pots and set over heating source. Serve with scones.

Jammin' in the Kitchen

Jams and jellies make excellent timesavers. In a pinch, quality jams can serve as cake fillings, while melted jellies are perfect for glazes and flavoring sugar syrups.