Fig Balsamic Vinegarsyrup Recipes

FIG BALSAMIC VINEGAR/SYRUP

Steps:

• Trim and dice the figs.
• In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan on medium-low heat, mix the liquid pectin and sugar, stirring until no dry sugar remains. Stirring frequently, bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Add the figs and simmer 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
• While your fig preserves are cooking, in a well ventilated area, put the balsamic vinegar in a heavy, non-reactive pot over low heat. (Personally, we used a heavy stainless electric skillet on our screened back porch.) Bring to a low simmer and cook uncovered until reduced by half. This can take a couple of hours because you don't want to rush it and scorch your balsamic. Please note: the fumes from this process may drive you from your kitchen if you choose to do this indoors, so be aware!
• If the figs are done before the vinegar, hold over lowest heat and continue to stir occasionally.
• When the balsamic is reduced, add three-quarters of the fig preserves to the balsamic and stir until dissolved.
• Taste and adjust to your personal taste using the remaining quarter of fig preserves.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the seeds and any chunky figgy bits.
• Store in an airtight bottle. (One of the bottles the balsamic came in would be wonderful). This may keep for as much as six months depending on storage conditions and cleanliness of your bottling process.

BAKED FIGS WITH GORGONZOLA AND AGED BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Cut figs in half, then stuff with a teaspoon of cheese and cover with 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Bake in 350-degree oven until warm, about 3 to 4 minutes. Mix oil and vinegar to make a dressing and toss with the mesclun salad. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the salad on the plate with the figs.

FIG AND BALSAMIC SYRUP MILLE FEUILLE

Steps:

• Cover the puff pastry with a slightly damp kitchen cloth and bring to room temperature.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to 1/8-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch round cutter dipped in flour, press out into 8 portions. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the pastry with the egg white. Combine 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar with the cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the pastry. Cover with a sheet of parchment paper and top with a second baking sheet.
• Bake until lightly browned and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Combine the vinegar, Port, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and the vanilla bean and seeds into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture is thick and syrupy, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the figs, turning to coat evenly, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Discard the vanilla bean pods.
• Beat the cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and the vanilla extract, and beat until stiff peaks form.
• To assemble, place a small dollop of whipped cream in the center of each of 4 plates. Top with 1 pastry round and a dollop of whipped cream. Divide the figs evenly among the rounds, reserving 4 halves for garnish. Top with the remaining pastry rounds and whipped cream, and garnish with the fig halves. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

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.

FIG BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Simmer Figs in water until very soft.
• Puree with hand held wand.
• Keep on low heat, and continue until it reaches a thick consistency.
• Sweat shallots over medium low heat in olive oil, and cook until tender (about 15 minutes).
• Add sugar and cook another 5 minutes.
• Add to fig mix and puree again.
• Add vinegar.
• Bottle and refrigerate.