Glazed Figs With Mascarpone Cream 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.

GOLDEN FIG AND MASCARPONE TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cut Feuille de' Bric sheets into 2 1/2-inch squares, spray with pan spray and crisscross in muffin tins. Bake until golden brown, let cool and remove from pan.
• In a medium bowl mix figs removed from the syrup with mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, and 1 large egg. Mix on slow speed until figs are well broken. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Fill tart shell 3/4 of the way and bake for 20 minutes or until filling is firm. Garnish with black fig syrup and serve warm.

BALSAMIC GLAZED FIGS WITH PANCETTA AND MASCARPONE

Steps:

• Pack the pancetta with the brown sugar on both sides.
• In a non-stick skillet over high heat, cook the pancetta thoroughly until it starts to crisp. When ready, remove the pancetta from the pan to a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up excess oil.
• Remove most of the leftover pancetta oil from the skillet, and in the same pan add the halved figs (without stems) with the balsamic vinegar and the honey.
• The balsamic will quickly start to thicken. Stir constantly to prevent burning, and add salt and pepper to taste. Alternatively you can roast the figs in the oven (400F) with a bit of olive oil and brown sugar until they soften, and then combine with the balsamic reduction made on the stovetop.
• When the liquids reduce to about half, remove from heat.
• Each plate receives a piece of pancetta; top with the figs (4 per person) and the reduction. Add a dollop of mascarpone and enjoy!

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.

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.

FIGS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR, MASCARPONE, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring wine, vinegar, and sugar to a boil in a 3-quart heavy nonreactive saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then add figs and gently simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Pour figs with liquid into a 2-quart shallow glass or ceramic baking dish and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake, uncovered, until figs are softened and have absorbed about two thirds of liquid, about 30 minutes. Cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
• Serve warm figs with sauce and a dollop of mascarpone.

FRESH FIG TART WITH ROSEMARY CORNMEAL CRUST AND LEMON MASCARPONE CREAM

Steps:

• Make crust:
• Pulse together flour, cornmeal, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add butter and rosemary and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal with some small (roughly pea-size) butter lumps. Drizzle evenly with 4 tablespoons ice water and pulse until just incorporated.
• Gently squeeze a small handful: If it doesn't hold together, add more water, 1/2 tablespoon at a time, pulsing after each addition and continuing to test.
• Press dough evenly onto bottom and up sides of tart pan with floured fingers. Smooth dough with a small offset metal spatula or back of a spoon (floured if necessary), then roll a rolling pin over top of pan to trim dough flush with rim. Chill crust until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Bake crust in middle of oven until center and edges are golden, 25 to 30 minutes (don't worry if bottom of crust cracks), then cool in pan on a rack.
• Prepare filling and assemble tart:
• Whisk together sour cream, mascarpone, sugar, zest, and salt in a bowl.
• Heat jelly and honey in a small saucepan over moderately low heat, whisking, until jelly is melted, about 4 minutes, then cool glaze slightly.
• Remove side of tart pan and spread mascarpone cream in shell. Cut figs lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices and arrange decoratively over cream. Brush figs with honey glaze.