Apricot Chicken with Rice

• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots (or any other dried fruit or combination)
• 1 Tbsp vegetable or olive oil
• 1 onion - minced
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves cut into medium chunks
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 Tbsp Honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• fresh ground pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in water
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh mint or 1 1/2 tsp dried mint (mint optional)

1. Place the apricots in a small bowl and cover them with boining water; set them aside to plump.
2. Cook 1 cup rice according to package directions
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet. add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is softened, about 3 min.
4. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until it is browned, about 5 min.
5. Add the apricots with their liquid, walnuts, honey, salt, cinnamon and pepper to taste. Cook until the chicken is done and the ingredients are heated through, about 5 min.
6. Add the cornstarch and water and heat for 1-2 min until thickened.
7. Serve the mixture over rice and sprinkle with the mint.

Serves: 4       Total cook time: 15 min plus rice cooking time