Ricotta Figs And Macadamia Nuts Food

MACADAMIA NUT "RICOTTA"

Steps:

• DO THIS:
• In a food processor or a high powered blender, purée the ingredients together until smooth.
• If necessary, scrape down the sides with a spatula and/or add a bit more water. The resulting texture should resemble-you guessed it!-ricotta cheese.
• KA-POW!
• Amplify the color and flavor by mixing in 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Or add minced sundried tomatoes and fresh basil.

SAMBUCA POACHED FIGS WITH RICOTTA AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook pine nuts, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and season with salt.
• Simmer Sambuca with sugar in a saucepan (pan should be just large enough to hold figs upright), stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cut a very thin slice from bottom of each fig and stand figs in liquid in saucepan (figs will not be covered by liquid).
• Poach figs at a bare simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Cool slightly in liquid.
• Season ricotta with salt and pepper. Divide figs among 4 plates alongside mounds of ricotta and drizzle figs with some of poaching liquid, then sprinkle with pine nuts and serve.

GRILLED FIGS WITH HONEY RICOTTA

Steps:

• Pre-heat the grill.
• Trim fig stems, if any, and cut figs in half length-ways.
• Lightly butter a shallow baking dish. Place the figs curved side down in the dish. Sprinkle each fig with a little brown sugar. Sprinkle nuts over figs, if using.
• Grill figs for about 3-4 minutes or until the sugar starts to bubble.
• Meanwhile, combine ricotta and honey in a bowl and stir until smooth and creamy.
• Remove figs from the oven and gently place on serving plates with a dollop of honey ricotta.
• Garnish with mint leaves and serve. Enjoy!