Glazed Figs With Almonds And Thyme Food

GLAZED FIGS

Steps:

• Halve 2 cups fresh figs and place in a small pot with 2 strips lemon zest and 2 tablespoons each red wine, water and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the figs are soft, 20 to 25 minutes.

FIGS AND TOASTED ALMONDS BRIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 C).
• Heat brown sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Add figs and vanilla, and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in almonds and vanilla. Place brie wheel in a baking dish, and pour fig mixture over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until softened but not melted. Serve with water crackers.

CARAMELIZED FIGS WITH HONEY, THYME AND CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• Spoon the honey over the cut sides of the figs. Heat a large, heavy skillet over a medium-high flame. Add the butter - it should sizzle briskly when it hits the pan. Throw in the thyme sprigs, followed by the figs, cut sides down. Leave undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes to caramelize, then turn the figs over and cook for another minute.
• Transfer the figs to a plate. Return the skillet to the heat and add about 5 tablespoons water. Simmer, scraping the caramelized honey with a spoon. Pour this sauce over the figs and serve warm with generous spoonfuls of crème fraîche and a few extra thyme leaves.

GLAZED FIGS WITH ALMONDS AND THYME

Steps:

• Simmer wine, honey, figs, and thyme sprig in a small saucepan 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep, covered, 10 minutes. Return to heat and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is just syrupy, about 10 minutes. Cool figs in syrup. Cut a slit in each fig and gently press in a nut. Sprinkle with thyme leaves. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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.

GLAZED FIG & ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Place almonds in a food processor; cover and pulse until ground. Add flour; pulse to combine. Set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg yolks. Gradually add flour mixture and mix well. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9-in. fluted tart pan with removable bottom. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack., In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients for glazed figs; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until figs are tender. Uncover; cook an additional 5-10 minutes or until figs are glazed and 3 tablespoons liquid remains. Remove from the heat; cool completely. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, honey and lemon zest until smooth; spread over crust. Arrange figs over filling; drizzle with remaining liquid. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until chilled. Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds and confectioners' sugar if desired.

SAUTEED FRESH FIG AND ALMOND DESSERT

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet over high heat.
• Add the fig halves and sprinkle liberally with brown sugar.
• Saute, turning the figs gently, until warmed through, about 4 minutes. Be careful not to let the butter/brown sugar burn, just caramelize.
• Sprinkle with toasted almonds and garnish with heavy cream.

ROASTED FIGS WITH ST. ANDRÉ AND THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice an X into the stem side of each fig, cutting halfway down the fruit. Gently pry the figs open, taking care to keep the fruit intact. Stuff 1 teaspoon of cheese into each cavity, and sprinkle with a pinch of thyme. (May be covered and refrigerated for up to an hour before baking.)
• Arrange figs cut side up on a baking sheet. Roast until the figs open and the cheese is melted, 4 to 7 minutes (less for ripe fruit). Season with pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

GRILLED FIGS WITH THYME HONEY AND GORGONZOLA TOASTS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring honey to a simmer, add thyme sprigs.
• Turn off heat and let cool for 15 minutes or more while grilling the figs and bread.
• Start a charcoal fire in an outdoor grill or preheat a gas grill, or preheat broiler.
• Cut figs in half, and toss them in a small bowl with 2 teaspoons olive oil and thyme leaves.
• Set grill rack 4 inches from fire, or broiler heat.
• When the charcoal is ashed over and glowing, or the gas grill is medium-hot,or broiler hot, grill figs quickly until they are heated through but not collapsed, 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
• Transfer to a platter.
• Cut 24 1/2-inch-thick slices from the bread, and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
• Toast bread on both sides on the grill away from direct heat, or under broiler, or in toaster.
• Spread cheese on toast, and top with figs.
• Remove thyme sprigs from honey with a fork and discard, then drizzle honey over figs and toast slices.
• Serve at once.
• Enjoy!

ELEGANT FIG APPETIZERS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler for high heat.
• Place the fig halves, cut side up, on a baking sheet. Top each half with about 1/2 teaspoon goat cheese. Place one almond on each, press to push the cheese slightly into each fig.
• Broil the figs in the preheated oven until the cheese is soft and the almonds are turning a rich shade of brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the broiler and let cool for 5 minutes. Arrange the figs on a serving platter and drizzle with honey and balsamic vinegar. Serve warm.