Sauteed Figs Food

SAUTEED FIGS WITH CASHEW CREME

Steps:

• Place cashews in a bowl and cover with cold water and soak for 2 hours to overnight. Drain.
• Combine soaked cashews, milk, vanilla extract, and agave nectar in a blender; blend until smooth. Add some water or soy milk to thin, if needed. Transfer cashew cream to a serving bowl.
• Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat and saute figs on both sides until softened and warmed, about 4 minutes. Serve with cashew cream.

SAUTEED FIGS

Steps:

• Cut figs in half lengthwise.
• Heat sauté pan over medium high heat.
• Melt butter in pan.
• Add ginger (optional) to pan to soften in hot butter.
• Add cinnamon and cloves, stir.
• Add figs to pan, turning occasionally to soften and brown.
• Add brown sugar to pan, stirring frequently to melt and caramelize sugar.
• Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes, and enjoy!

SALMON WITH FIG JAM

Steps:

• For the fig jam: Soak the figs in the red wine for at least 2 hours and preferably overnight.
• Heat a large saute pan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and add the grapeseed oil, shallots, garlic and rosemary. Saute until the garlic begins to brown slightly on the edges.
• Add the figs and wine, the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar and bring to a simmer. Simmer the jam until the liquid has reduced by half and is syrupy. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the jam to a food processor and pulse until chunky. Let the jam cool completely.
• For the sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and allow it to heat up. Add the diced sweet potatoes, parsnips and carrots and cook on high to sear the potatoes, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook the the vegetables, stirring regularly, until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Add the chili powder and cayenne and saute for 1 to 2 minutes to toast the spices. Add the honey cook, stirring, to glaze the sweet potatoes, 3 to 4 minutes. The vegetables should be tender but not falling apart.
• For the lemon vinaigrette: Combine the lemon juice, dijon mustard, honey and garlic in a blender and puree.
• Slowly add the grapeseed and extra-virgin olive oil while the blender is running to emulsify the dressing. Add the oregano and parsley and let the blender run for a few seconds to mix the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Hold for plating.
• For the salmon: Season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the grapeseed oil and allow it to heat up. Place the salmon in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear one side of the salmon until nicely browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the salmon over and finish cooking until medium to medium-well, 2 to 3 minutes.
• To plate: Just before serving, heat the sweet potato mixture over high heat and add the Brussels sprout leaves. Cook until the leaves are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the root vegetables and Brussels sprouts among 6 plates, placing the vegetables in the center of the plates. Lay the salmon over the vegetables. Drizzle 1 to 2 ounces of the vinaigrette over and around the salmon. Top the salmon with 2 ounces of the fig jam and garnish the plates with the chopped parsley.

SAUTEED DUCK BREAST WITH FIGS AND PORT

Steps:

• Remove excess fat from duck breasts. Brush breasts with oil; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon thyme and pepper. Cover and let stand 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate.)
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add duck bones, chicken backs and onion and cook until brown, turning occasionally, about 12 minutes. Add both stocks. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until reduced to 3/4 cup liquid, about 1 hour. Strain and degrease duck stock. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Season duck breasts with salt; add to skillet skin side down and cook 4 minutes. Turn and cook about 2 minutes longer for medium-rare. Transfer to heated platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
• Pour off fat from skillet. Add 1 tablespoon butter to skillet and melt over medium heat. Add shallot and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add Port and figs. Increase heat and boil until liquid is reduced to glaze, scraping up any browned bits, about 4 minutes. Add duck stock and boil until syrupy, adding any juices accumulated on duck platter, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Season with salt and pepper.
• Thinly slice duck on diagonal. Arrange on plates. Spoon sauce over. Sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon thyme.

SAUTéED FIGS WITH PROSCIUTTO AND PARMIGIANO

Steps:

• Use a vegetable peeler to shave the Parmigiano into shards. Set aside.
• Cut the figs in half lengthwise, and cut the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise as well. Wrap a piece of prosciutto around each fig, then brush lightly with the olive oil.
• Heat a large skillet (ideally cast iron) or a grill pan over medium-high heat. When hot, arrange half the figs in a roomy single layer, cut side down, in the pan. Cook until the prosciutto is browned and crispy, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Then flip the figs and repeat on the other side. Transfer to a serving platter and cook the remaining figs in the same way.
• Drizzle the vinegar over the figs and top with Parmigiano shavings. Serve warm or at room temperature.