Brandied Fig Bundles Food

FIG BRANDY AND BRANDIED FIGS

Steps:

• Step 1: Pierce 9 to 12 fresh figs (4 or 5 times each) with a sharp knife. Place the figs in a wide-mouth quart glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, alternately layering in lemon slices (from 1 lemon) and 3 sprigs fresh thyme. Pack firmly and fill the jar, being careful not to split open any of the figs; sliced or broken fruit will make the brandy murky.
• Step 2: Pour 1 1/2 to 2 cups brandy over the figs to fill the jar. Seal and place the jar in a dark cupboard and make a note on the calendar: Fig Brandy Ready in 30 days.
• Step 3: After 30 days, pour the brandy through a fine-mesh strainer into a jar or gift bottle. The brandy will keep for 1 year. Serve chilled in small glasses.
• Step 4: Discard the lemon slices and thyme. Store the brandied figs in a covered container in the refrigerator. The figs will keep for a month.

FIGS IN BRANDY RECIPE (HIGOS AL BRANDY)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Rinse figs and place in a large pot.
• Combine the sugar with 2 cups (16 ounces) of water and dissolve the sugar.
• Add the sugar and water mixture to the pot. Add more water if necessary, to cover the figs. Heat on medium to medium-high until the water begins to boil. Reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer until the liquid is reduced to a thick syrup, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Grate the orange zest.
• In a small saucepan, place the ground cinnamon, orange zest, brandy, and sherry. Heat on low and slowly bring to a boil. Stir to mix well, then remove from heat.
• Carefully remove the figs from the pot one by one, using tongs if needed. Place in a large open serving dish or bowl, or place on individual serving plates. Reserve the syrup.
• Pour the brandy sauce over the figs. Drizzle 4 to 6 serving spoonfuls of the syrup over the figs.
• Allow figs to cool (outside of refrigerator), marinating in a pool of the sauce for at least an hour before serving.
• If you will serve with almonds and whipped cream, add a dollop of whipped cream to each plate just before serving. Sprinkle almond slivers on top.

CHICKEN APRICOT BUNDLES

Steps:

• Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into eight rectangles. Place onto ungreased cookie sheet; press the perforations together.
• Combine the remaining ingredients and spoon 1/4 cupful onto the center of each rectangle. Bring the edges to the center; pinch and seal.
• Bake at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden.

BRANDIED FIG VANILLA PUDDING

Steps:

• Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a heavy medium saucepan, then whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently, then boil, whisking, 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla.
• Divide among 4 (6-to 8-ounces) glasses and chill, uncovered, until cold, at least 1 1/2 hours.
• Stir together preserves, brandy, and lemon juice, then spoon on top of puddings.

BRANDIED FIGS

Steps:

• Wash figs a few at a time by quickly dipping them in a bowl of cool water. (Do not soak.) Place in a single layer on a kitchen towel; drain. Sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar evenly in a wide nonreactive pot. Top with figs, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.
• Place pot over low heat, uncovered, and bring figs to a bare simmer. (Tilt pan from side to side or swirl a bit to help sugar dissolve, but do not stir, or fruit may get damaged.) Partially cover and simmer 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 4 hours.
• Repeat step 2 twice; figs should turn translucent in final simmering stage. (If necessary, allow to simmer longer than 10 minutes in final simmer, until they do.)
• Carefully spoon hot figs into hot sterilized canning jars (ideally pint-size or smaller). Bring syrup to a boil, skimming any scum that rises to surface. Turn off heat; stir in brandy. Taste; add more brandy as desired. Pour hot syrup over fruit to cover. Seal and process in a hot-water bath 10 minutes. Figs can be stored in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

FIG BRANDY

Steps:

• Clean and sterilise a large kilner jar.
• put in the sugar, figs and honey.
• pour in a full bottle of brandy.
• mix around, seal and leave in the fridge for about a month.
• Then drain the liquid into a bottle (through a fine sieve/filter if you want).
• save the figs for cooking (but remember they are laced with brandy !).

GRILLED VEGGIE BUNDLES

Steps:

• For the sauce combine the last 5 ingredients and set aside.
• In medium saucepan bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Add carrots and boil for 2 minutes.
• Add onion and boil another minute.
• Add zucchini and squash and boil for 30 seconds.
• Remove from stove and drain and rinse with cold water.
• On a work surface place 1/2 piece of ham and in the center add 2 zucchini strips, 2 squash strips 1 onion strip and 1 carrot strip. Fold the lower end over the vegetables and then the other end.
• Place bundle on metal skewers with the folded side first and repeat until you have all the ham used up.
• Place them touching each other slightly on the skewers.
• Preheat your grill to medium heat.
• Coat the cooking grate with oil.
• Brush each bundle with the sauce and place on grill.
• Cook with lid open for 15-20 minutes until the ham turns slightly brown, basting with the sauce every 5 minutes and turning gently 4 times.
• Remove from the grill and enjoy.

MEG'S GREEN BEAN BUNDLES

Steps:

• Roll six or seven green beans in bacon strips to make bundles.
• Place in 9 x 13 pan.
• Heat remaining ingredients in saucepan until butter is melted.
• Pour over bundles.
• Bake covered in 350 drgree oven for 30 minutes-- Uncover and cook 15 minutes.
• Broil if needed to brown the bacon.