Baked Figs With Grand Marnier And Whipped Cream Food

BAKED FIGS WITH GRAND MARNIER AND WHIPPED CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Prick bottom of each fig several times and stand figs in a buttered 9- to 10-inch flameproof gratin dish or ovenproof skillet. Sprinkle figs with 1/3 cup sugar, then add water to dish.
• Bake figs in middle of oven, basting twice with pan juices, until tender, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to stovetop, then add 1/4 cup Grand Marnier and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Remove from heat and carefully ignite pan juices. After flames subside, juices should be syrupy. If pan juices are too thin, transfer figs to a shallow serving bowl, then boil juices until syrupy and slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes, and pour over figs.
• Beat cream with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and tablespoon liqueur using an electric mixer until it holds soft peaks.
• Serve figs, warm or at room temperature, with syrup and cream.

FRESH FRUIT WITH CREAMY GRAND MARNIER SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients and 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier in processor. Blend until smooth.
• Taste and add more Grand Marnier, if desired.
• Transfer mixture to bowl and refrigerate until cold, about one hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.).
• Divide fruit among 8 stemmed goblets.
• Top with sauce and serve.
• Note: Use any fresh fruit in season that you like. It's especially good with strawberries, grapes, and blueberries.

FIG AND ORANGE COMPOTE

Steps:

• Using a zester, remove the zest of one orange in long strips.
• Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the pith from all the oranges, so the flesh is fully exposed. Slice the oranges crosswise into sections 1/4 inch thick. Remove seeds, and place the slices in a bowl.
• Blend the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or to a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat, and add grenadine syrup. Blend well. Set aside.
• Place 4 figs snugly in a small saucepan. Pour just enough syrup over them so they are 90 percent covered. Add the strips of orange zest. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove and refrigerate.
• Place the 4 cooked figs over the marinating orange slices in the bowl. Pour over the cooking liquid and 4 tablespoons of Grand Marnier. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
• Just before serving, slice the 4 uncooked figs lengthwise into four sections.
• Distribute the chilled orange slices and their juices over 4 chilled plates. Lay four uncooked fig quarters over each serving, and top with a poached fig. Sprinkle with the 2 remaining tablespoons of Grand Marnier, and garnish each with a sprig of mint.

POMEGRANATE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Mix wet and dry ingredients separately.
• De-seed pomegranates in a bowl of water to help prevent seeds from popping.
• Combine ingredients, folding in the pomegranate seeds last. Mix as lightly as possible.
• Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, depending on size of muffins and your oven.
• Remove and place on cold, wet towel to make taking the muffins out easier. Wait until the muffins have cooled before removing them from the tin.