The apricot — all heady scent, velvet touch, supple bite — harbors a secret. Cut along its cleft line and twist to reveal brilliant flesh and heart of darkness. The rugged pit hides an almond-shaped kernel tinged with cyanide.

Boring the fan of murder mystery. The villainous chef would have to grind a lot of stones to prep any dastardly dish.

Still, the pit holds power. Consider the many alluring recipes for apricot-kernel custard, jam and gelato. Most begin by toasting the seed and end with a warning: The potentially toxic treat is best prepared by the pastry professional.

The home cook sticks with apricot flesh, which is wholly wholesome. Poached and chilled it makes a healthful breakfast, snack or dessert. And not that kind of just deserts!

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POACHED APRICOTS

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 18 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

4 ripe apricots

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 vanilla bean

1 Slice: Rinse apricots. Halve each along its cleft line. Twist open. Lift out and discard pits.

2. Boil: In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, water and lemon juice. Split vanilla bean the long way; scrape out seeds with the back of a knife blade. Drop in seeds and pod. Bring to a boil; boil 1 minute.

3. Simmer: Slide in apricots; lower heat so that syrup barely shudders around the fruit. Cover and cook, turning apricots once, until they are tender and still hold their shape, a total of 5 to 10 minutes, depending on size and ripeness of the fruit. Using a slotted spoon, scoop out apricots (leave any skins in the water), and let the fruit cool.

4. Reduce: Turn up heat under saucepan, and reduce contents to a thick syrup, about 5 minutes. Strain into a glass measuring cup. Let cool a few minutes.

5. Cool: Pour syrup over apricots. Cover and chill.

6. Serve: Enjoy apricots, along with syrup, over yogurt, under whipped cream, alongside a slice of pound cake or solo. All good.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP