Figs are fruits with a very sweet flavor and fragrance that can be eaten dry, although, in the right season, it is good to take advantage of them because, eaten fresh, they are even tastier. You can eat this fruit alone or in one of the many combinations capable of enhancing its flavor. Let's see how to best enjoy both dried and fresh figs.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Figs Basics
Step 1. Eat fresh or dried figs
Fresh figs are difficult to find out of season and suffer particularly from cold temperatures so, in some areas of the world, it is completely impossible to find them fresh. On the contrary, dried figs are available all year round and in any supermarket.
Figs are a very healthy food. In 50 grams of figs we find only 37 calories, but well 1, 47 g of fiber, 116 mg of potassium, 0, 06 g of manganese and 0, 06 grams of vitamin B6
Step 2. Choose ripe figs
The size and color of ripe figs varies according to the variety, but once ripe, all figs are soft. A ripe fig is very delicate and releases a sweet and intense aroma.
- Discard figs that are hard or have cracks or bruises in the skin. If they only have scratches or small marks they will be fine anyway because the flavor will not be affected.
- Also discard figs with signs of mold, decay and a sour smell.
- Depending on the variety, ripe figs can be green, dark brown, yellow or purple.
- Try to use the freshest figs possible. Freshly picked fruits, if stored in the refrigerator, can last 2-3 days, but then they will begin to deteriorate.
Step 3. Clean fresh figs before eating
Rinse them with cold running water, and gently pat them dry with paper towels.
- As ripe figs are very delicate never use a vegetable brush to clean them. Just rub them gently with your fingers to remove dirt residue.
- While you are washing the figs, remove the stem by gently twisting it with your fingers.
Step 4. Dissolve the sugar crystals on the outer skin
Moisten 125 g of figs with a teaspoon of water and then heat them in the microwave on maximum power for 1 minute.
Ripe figs often excrete a sugary syrup that crystallizes on the surface. While they are still good to eat, for better presentation and better texture in the mouth, these crystals can be removed
Method 2 of 3: Eat fresh figs
Step 1. Eat them whole
Ripe figs are very soft and sweet and can be enjoyed on their own, without additions.
- The peel of the figs is edible so, after having deprived it of the stalk, you can safely eat the whole fig.
- If you don't like the texture of the peel, remove it and eat only the inside of the fig. Once the petiole has been removed, peel it using your fingers.
- If you don't want to peel the fig, simply cut it in half. Hold it steady with one hand and, with a sharp knife, cut it in two lengthwise. Now enjoy the flavor and scent of fig pulp.
Step 2. Serve the figs with a spicy or very tasty cheese
A very common way to taste figs is to accompany them with a piece of cheese. Alternatively, use another dairy product that is still flavorful and spicy.
- Cut the figs in half and drop a little cream cheese on each piece. Choose whether to use a regular or spiced cream cheese and serve your figs for an aperitif or as a simple appetizer.
- Melt some gorgonzola in the fig. Remove the stem and cut the fig to "x" to be able to open it slightly with your fingers. Place a piece of cheese inside the fig and bake it for 10 minutes at 200 ° C.
- Dairy products such as mascarpone or fresh cream are excellent accompaniments for figs.
Step 3. Boil the figs
You can boil them in a pan or in a slow cooker. Use 500ml of water for every 8 figs.
- Alternatively, cook the figs in a fortified wine or in a wine to which you have added spices such as cinnamon, cloves or star anise. You can also use fresh fruit juice and balsamic vinegar.
- Simmer the figs for 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat.
- If you are using an electric pot, set it to low heat and cook the figs for 23 hours.
- Figs cooked this way are often served to accompany yoghurt, rich and intense flavored dairy products or ice creams and sorbets.
Step 4. Make a preserve
In a saucepan, mix 450 g of ripe, chopped figs with 250 g of sugar. Cook over low heat for about 30 minutes or until you get a thick consistency.
Step 5. Use them in baked goods
You can use figs to flavor bread, cake, muffins and all those flour-based desserts that you normally prepare.
- Combine them with other fruit. For example, add chopped figs to your fruit tart or combine them with raspberries, lemon and orange to flavor your cake or your favorite dessert.
- Put figs in the center of attention. Instead of mixing figs with other fruit, use them alone to make an excellent tart, a yoghurt and fig cake or a simple and delicious fig cake.
- Use them as a decoration. Figs cut in half or quarters are perfect for decorating a cake or dessert. They go very well with desserts that have a rich and flavorful glaze, such as a cheese glaze, or with dried fruit cakes, such as an almond cake.
Method 3 of 3: Eat dried figs
Step 1. Enjoy them as they are
Dried figs can be eaten like any other dried fruit, at any time of day and as a simple snack.
Step 2. Rehydrate the dried figs
If you want to add dried figs to a recipe it might be best to rehydrate them to make them juicier and tastier.
- You can rehydrate figs by soaking them in water or fruit juice overnight.
- If you want to be thorough, boil them in water or fruit juice for several minutes.
- Regardless of the method used, make sure the figs are completely immersed in the liquid.
Step 3. Use them to make baked goods
You can use them both dry and rehydrated.
- Place them in the dough of bread, cakes, muffins, biscuits or pies. While you are preparing the dough for your baked goods, as a last step, add the dried figs, they will make a great effect once presented on the table.
- Replace other nuts with figs. Instead of making oatmeal cookies with raisins, make oatmeal cookies with dried figs. Instead of adding candied cherries to your muffins, add dried figs.
Step 4. Add them to the porridge
Another quick and easy way to enjoy dried figs is to add them to your cereal breakfast. Give a sweet touch to your good morning.
Step 5. Mix them with cottage cheese or yogurt
If you want to have a quick snack, or a light meal, mix some dried figs with ricotta or yogurt. Both ricotta and yogurt go very well with the flavor of figs.
