Fresh Figs With Mascarpone And Warm Spiced Honey Food

FRESH FIGS WITH MASCARPONE AND WARM SPICED HONEY

Steps:

• Arrange the figs cut-side up among four plates. Use the back of a teaspoon to gently press into the center of the flesh and create a small indentation.
• Add a dollop of mascarpone to the center of each fig half and set plates aside.
• Place honey and spices in a small heat-proof bowl and set over a pan with simmering water. Cook over medium heat, whisking to blend, until the honey is liquefied and warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle honey over each fig, garnish plates with mint sprigs, and serve immediately.

POACHED FIGS WITH MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Stem the figs and cut in 1/2. Place fig halves in a large pot or saute pan. Add wine, cognac, brown sugar, lemon peel and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 20 minutes, or until liquids have reduced by 1/2. Let cool, then serve with a dollop of mascarpone cheese. Drizzle with liquid reduction. Top with lemon zest and a dusting of icing sugar.

GLAZED FIGS WITH MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• For the cream: In an electric mixer whip the mascarpone until smooth. Continue whipping and slowly add the cream in a steady stream. Add the sugar and whip for 3 minutes.
• For the figs: In a small pot combine the orange juice, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and zest.
• Boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Toss the figs with the glaze and spread, cut side up, in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Cook under the broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, until lightly caramelized. Serve the warm figs with the mascarpone cream and toasted walnuts.

GREEK BLOSSOMS - FRESH FIGS WITH HONEY, YOGURT, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Use a sharp knife to mark an "X" on the top of each fig, being careful not to cut more than 3/4 of the way down the fruit.
• Spread open each fig 'blossom', to expose the pink center. Arrange the figs on a platter.
• Use a small spoon to fill each fig with marmalade, Greek yogurt, and honey. Dust with cinnamon.
• Finish with small chunks of herbed chevre, walnut pieces, and fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately.
• Good with Carr's whole wheat crackers or baguette slices, for a more substantial snack.
• VARIATION: Substitute creme fraiche for the yogurt, mascarpone cheese with lemon zest for the herbed chevre, and green pistachios instead of walnuts. Drizzle with honey and dust with cinnamon -- yum!

SAFFRON SCENTED FRESH FIGS WITH CINNAMON AND HONEY

Steps:

• Place 300ml cold water, the sugar, saffron, cinnamon stick and honey in a large pan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Bring to the boil gently and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the syrup has reduced slightly.
• Add the figs and simmer for a further 5 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat and discard the cinnamon stick.
• Serve the figs warm with the yogurt and drizzled with the saffron syrup.
• Serving tip - Stir the yogurt into the cooled syrup for an extra creamy sauce, or serve chilled with ice cream.

FIGS WITH MASCARPONE AND HONEY

Steps:

• Wipe the figs with a clean kitchen towel and cut off the stems. Slice the figs in half and arrange them in a circle on a platter, overlapping them slightly. In the center, pile up the mascarpone.
• Pour the honey over the figs in a very thin stream (if necessary, heat the honey to thin it out). Serve immediately with thin sugar cookies.

FIGS WITH HONEY-ORANGE MASCARPONE AND PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with foil. Stir sugar and 1 tablespoon water in small skillet over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high; boil until syrup turns deep amber, occasionally swirling skillet and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add salt and nuts. Stir to coat and transfer to prepared sheet. Cool.
• Stir mascarpone, cream, honey, and orange peel in small bowl. Coarsely chop brittle. Arrange figs on plate. Spoon 1 teaspoonful mascarpone mixture atop cut side of each fig; garnish with brittle.

SPICED BAKED FIGS WITH GINGER MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Lay the figs in an ovenproof roasting dish, dot over the butter and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle over the sugar and cinnamon, then pour over the orange juice and mix lightly. Nestle the star anise amongst the figs and roast for 15-20 minutes.
• When ready to serve, mix the ginger and syrup through the mascarpone. Place 4 fig halves, drizzled with syrup, on a plate with a dollop of mascarpone and some shortbread fingers.