For me, Turkey is about sweet, succulent dried apricots and salty, tasty pistachios. Those are my favorite combinations and had to use Sara Moulton’s technique to make a Turkish Pistachio and Apricot Bread!
I don’t know about your Saturday mornings when you were growing up. I can imagine that cartoons and cereal were the MO for your weekend jams. Mine on the other hand, were full of Mexican breakfasts and omelets, and either yard sale-ing or PBS cooking shows.
My parents were trying to get this antique glass business off the ground, so Dad and I would hit the road VERY early (for a teenager that is) and plan our trek up one street and down the other in search of the elusive Yard Sale sign. Estate sales? JACKPOT! Multi family? BINGO! Man, those were fun times.
When the yard sale season was over, we were watching cooking shows and being inspired by chefs like Martin Yan of Yan Can Cook. So can you! *giggle* I got the opportunity to see him in action and meet him a few years ago at the Washington Wine and Food Festival. I was like a kid in a candy store!! He’s LEGENDARY!
Then there was Jacques and Julia, Natalie Dupree, Lydia Bastianich (whom I’ve enjoyed watching on MasterChef), Jeff Smith of Frugal Gourmet, and Sara Moulton. Dad and I would get so tickled when she would say turkey lurky. Oh those are fond memories.
We are spotlighting Sara Moulton’s book, Everyday Family Dinners and cooking our inspirations based on recipes from this book and her VAST library of cooking shows and other publication recipes.
I went to her site to see what recipes were already published. Didn’t want to spoil anything out of the book…that way you have to buy it! LOL I found her Walnut Poppyseed Bread from her episode on Turkish Home Cooking and just knew I had I found my inspiration. I LOVE to make bread. And for me, Turkey is about sweet, succulent dried apricots and salty, tasty pistachios. Those are my favorite combinations and had to use her technique to make a yummy bread!
Combine water with yeast and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Let sit for 4 or 5 minutes or until frothy. Combine flours and salt together in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup of flour mixture and turn mixture on low speed. Continue adding flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides.
Change to dough hook sprayed with cooking spray and knead on medium-high for 5 minutes.
Turn out onto a flour surface and knead lightly to form a ball.
Place in a bowl coated in cooking spray; rolling the dough around to coat. Place in a warm place and allow the dough to raise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Place dough on a floured surface and punch down. Press out into an 8 inch circle and sprinkle the apricots and pistachios. Roll dough up and lightly knead to blend. Stretch out the dough into a 9 inch loaf and place on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover with a towel and allow to rest 30 minutes.

Turkish Pistachio and Apricot Bread
For me, Turkey is about sweet, succulent dried apricots and salty, tasty pistachios. Those are my favorite combinations and had to use Sara Moulton's technique to make a Turkish Pistachio and Apricot Bread!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, warm
- 1/4 ounce dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup apricots, chopped
- 1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
Instructions
- Combine water with yeast and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Let sit for 4 or 5 minutes or until frothy.
- Combine flours and salt together in a small bowl.
- Add 1/2 cup of flour mixture and turn mixture on to low speed. Continue adding flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides.
- Change to dough hook sprayed with cooking spray and knead on medium-high for 5 minutes.
- Turn out onto a flour surface and knead lightly to form a ball.
- Place in a bowl coated in cooking spray; rolling the dough around to coat. Place in a warm place and allow the dough to raise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Place dough on a floured surface and punch down. Press out into an 8 inch circle and sprinkle the apricots and pistachios. Roll dough up and lightly knead to blend.
- Stretch out the dough into a 9 inch loaf and place on a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover with a towel and allow to rest 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Remove the towel and make several diagonal slashes in the bread.
- Bake at 400 for 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool completely before serving.


Breakfast for Dinner:
- Open-faced Zucchini Omelet with Red Bell Pepper and Feta by Granny’s Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
- Chocolate French Toast with Fresh Strawberry Sauce by Daily Dish Recipes
Family Dinners:
- Polenta Lasagne by Blueberries and Blessings
- Spicy Korean Cheesesteak by Kimchi MOM
- Chorizo Mushroom Bites by La Cocina de Leslie
- Roasted Ratatouille Crêpes with Goat Cheese by Healthy.Delicious.
- Grilled Chicken and Veggie Pizza by Runner’s Tales
- Clay Pot Vegetable Stew by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Grilled Reuben Pizza by Juanita’s Cocina
- Vegetarian Greek Stuffed Zucchini by The Messy Baker Blog
- Manchego, Fig and Bacon Flatbreads by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Kimchi Fried Rice by girlichef
- Gluten Free Mozzarella Pesto Pizza by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Peppery Broccoli with Feta Cheese and Angel Hair Pasta by Hip Foodie Mom
- Chicken Artichoke Piccata by Sustainable Dad
- Reuben Tortilla Pinwheels by Home Cooking Memories
- Deli Style Turkey Reuben Pizza by In The Kitchen with KP
- Grilled Mahi Mahi with Garlic Caper Sauce by Family Foodie
Spectacular Sides and Salads:
- Curried Peas and Black Beans by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Chopped Salad with Feta, Chickpeas, and Pita Croutons by Supper for a Steal
- A Summer Salad from Paris by Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Caprese Salad with Avocado by Ruffles & Truffles
Don’t Skip Desserts and Drinks:
- Three-Ingredient Pluot Crisp by Shockingly Delicious
- Stuffed Strawberry Dessert by Growing Up Gabel
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut-Butter No Bake Cookies by Killer Bunnies
- Warm Chocolate Cheesecake by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Turkish Pistachio and Apricot Bread by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Sparkling Watermelon Lemonade by The Urban Mrs.
- Blueberry Crepes by Basic N Delicious
- Nectarine Upside-Down Cake by Magnolia Days
- Cannoli Strawberries by Foxes Love Lemons
- Gluten-Free Carrot Cupcakes by Ninja Baking
- Watermelon Basil Lemonade by Curious Cuisiniere
Family Foodie says
I love homemade bread. There is nothing better than warm bread fresh out of the oven. This looks delicious!
Lane Richeson says
Mmm your bread sounds delicious! Homemade bread is the best, but I don't make it nearly enough.
Ann Jones says
I love making homemade bread. I like the idea of the combining apricots and pistachios, yum!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Haha, when I was a kid, I was also watching PBS cooking shows instead of cartoons! Now, when friends my age reminisce about the cartoons that were popular when we were young, I really can't chime in at all. I don't know any of them! This bread looks amazing – wish I'd had this to munch on while watching those cooking shows 🙂
Chris Baccus says
Apricots in bread? Genius. This looks so good.
Shannon R says
I can't believe I missed this recipe, thanks for reposting it. I so want to try it now, what great flavours!
Camille says
You had me at "Turkish"! Yum this looks just delightful. Once mother nature turns off the oven, I'll be sure to try it!
Laura Dembowski says
Pistachios are such a great addition to baked goods, as are apricots! The bread looks crazy good!
Liz Berg says
The pistachios and apricots are like tiny jewels in your loaf…so pretty and delicious!!!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
Love your weekend memories as a kid! And this bread sound so good!
Renee says
What a great bread! I also think of apricots when it comes to Turkish food. I'm thinking this would be amazing toasted with butter and little bit of apricot preserves. Yummy!
Katie says
Oh wow – this sounds like a really amazing bread indeed!!! I think the texture would be so fab.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
What a gorgeous bread! I'm bookmarking this one for fall!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Apricots and pistachios sound so good together!