Dried Figs In Red Wine Food

WINE-POACHED FIGS

Steps:

• Trim and halve the figs, place in a saucepan with the wine, sugar, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the wine is reduced by half and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the thyme sprigs. Serve on top of an assertive cheese, such as Manchego, blue, Taleggio, or a triple cream spread over bread slices.

ANDY'S FIGS IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Place figs in a glass or ceramic bowl and pour wine over to cover. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours or up to 1 week, until figs are soft and plump. Drain and toss with orange zest, if desired.

DRIED FIGS IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Put figs in a 3-quart shallow glass or ceramic baking dish. Bring wine with sugar and zests to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then pour over figs (figs will not be covered by liquid). Bake figs, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until figs have absorbed about two thirds of liquid and are very tender but still hold their shape, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Put a sheet of parchment directly on figs, pressing them into liquid, then let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
• Serve figs with a bit of their juices and small scoops of ice cream, all drizzled with Sherry vinegar syrup.
• Figs can be made 1 week ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.

FIGS IN RED WINE WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Figs: In a nonreactive medium pot combine the wine, honey, and cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, over low heat, and cook until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes. Add the figs and cook for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. Remove the cinnamon stick.
• Goat cheese: In a shallow bowl, mix together the walnuts and thyme. With damp hands, roll the goat cheese into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls into the nut mixture until coated.
• To serve: Spoon the figs into 2 glasses and drizzle with the wine syrup. Add the herbed goat cheese and serve.

FIGS POACHED IN RED WINE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• With a slotted spoon, transfer figs to a bowl; simmer remaining liquid until reduced to about 1/3 cup, 3 to 5 minutes (liquid should look syrupy and coat the back of a spoon). Pour through a fine-mesh sieve over figs, and let cool slightly. (If refrigerating, bring to room temperature before serving.) Serve figs and syrup over ice cream or whipped ricotta cheese, if desired.

SPICED FIGS POACHED IN WINE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Stir in figs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35-45 minutes or until the figs are tender. Remove figs and set aside., Bring poaching liquid to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Strain into a small bowl; add figs. Cool. Serve with ice cream or yogurt if desired.

FIGS IN RED-WINE SYRUP

Steps:

• Tie zest, cinnamon, and peppercorns together in a cheesecloth bag. Bring wine, water, sugar, and cheesecloth bag to a boil in a 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 8 to 10 minutes. Add figs and simmer, covered, until soft and plump, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard cheesecloth bag and stir lemon juice into fig mixture. Cool at least 1 hour, then serve warm or at room temperature.