Blueberry Fig Bar Food

HOMEMADE OATMEAL FIG BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch (what I use and recommend) or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars when they have cooled. Set aside.
• Combine the chopped dried figs, water, and orange juice together in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook while stirring occasionally for 5-8 minutes or until figs are soft and have absorbed some of the liquid. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cool for 5 minutes, and then transfer to a food processor or blender and puree until there are no more chunks (fig seeds will not break down). Set aside. Makes *about* 1 and 1/4 cups filling.
• In a large bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and egg together. Add the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Begin whisking to combine and once the mixture becomes too thick, switch to a spoon or rubber spatula to bring the ingredients together. You will have about 2 and 1/2 cups of this crust/topping mixture.
• Take a little over 1 and 1/2 cups of the crust/topping mixture and press it evenly into the lined pan. Spread fig filling in an even layer on top. Spoon remaining crust/topping mixture evenly on top and gently press it down into the filling to ensure it's tight and compact on top.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top has lightly browned. Avoid over-baking. 8 inch pans take closer to 30 minutes, 9 inch pans take closer to 25 minutes. (Note: Oil/moisture will soak on the parchment paper during the baking & cooling process. That's normal with this recipe.) Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Cool bars completely.
• Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang on the sides. Cut into squares.
• Cover leftover bars and store at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

BLUEBERRY PIE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper so that it hangs over on two sides. Spray the parchment.
• For the crust: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the butter, sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Process until the mixture starts to come together and clump, 1 minute. Remove 3/4 cup and reserve; press the remaining crust mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Set aside.
• For the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, sour cream, sugar, lemon juice, flour, cornstarch, vanilla extract and cinnamon until smooth. Mix in 1 cup of the blueberries. Pour the filling mixture over the crust, shaking the pan gently to settle the custard and berries. Pour the remaining 1 cup blueberries over the top, spreading them evenly.
• Take the reserved crust and sprinkle it over the top of the berries, squeezing the mixture in your hands to encourage large lumps.
• Bake for 1 hour. Let cool. Remove the bars from the pan and cut into 9 pieces. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

BLUEBERRY AND FIG JAM-LOW OR NO SUGAR

Steps:

• Mix the dry pectin with about 1/2 cup of sugar or other sweetener.
• Place the blueberries and figs in a heavy non reactive pot with the pectin mixture and cook to a full boil. Stirring often. Add the remaining sugar and bring to a hard boil for 3 minutes. Stir in grand marnier off the flame if using.
• Fill the jars to 1/4 inch head space. wipe any spilled jam off the top, seat the lid and tighten the ring around them.
• Place the boiling water canner covered by at least 2 inch of hot water and process for 5 minutes. Shut off flame, uncover and leave for 5 more minutes. Remove to a draft free spot and cool for 12-24 hours.
• Check for sealing and store out of direct light for 1 year.

HONEYED FIG AND BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Mix pectin and sugar together.
• In a large pot add remaining ingredients with the pectin mixture.
• Bring to a full rolling boil. About 10 minutes.
• Test for jelling.
• Pour into sterilized jars leaving 1/4 head space.
• Be sure to remove vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks if used.
• Wipe rims and place sterilized lids and rings on.
• Process in a boiling water bath covered by 2 inches of water.
• Altitude times.
• 1,000-3000 for 5 minutes.
• 3000-6000 for 10 minutes.
• 6000-8000 for 15 minutes.
• 8000-10,000 for 20 minutes.
• Remove jars and cool for 12-24 hours.
• You can remove rings and wipe jars.
• Label.
• Store in a cool dark place.

BLUEBERRY-FIG JAM

Steps:

• Mash blueberries with a fork in a small bowl. Transfer to a 3 1/2-quart pot. Add figs, sugar, water, lime juice, and balsamic vinegar. Lightly pulse with an immersion blender until mostly smooth, with some chunks remaining for texture.
• Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Stir continuously as it comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and stir periodically, until thickened, 20 to 25 minutes. Check doneness by dropping a small spoonful of jam onto a frozen plate. Let sit for 1 to 2 minutes; if jam appears to gel, it is ready. Continue cooking if jam appears thin and runny.
• When jam has thickened, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Pour jam into a clean jar with a hermetic seal. Allow to cool completely before refrigerating.