Fig Fluden Recipes

REAL FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Dissolve the baking soda in about 2 quarts of cool water, and immerse the figs in the treated water in a large bowl. Gently stir to wash the figs, then drain off the water and rinse the figs thoroughly with fresh cool water. Place the figs into a large pot. Add 1 cup water, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, lemon, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Very gently stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar, keeping the figs intact as much as possible.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the figs are golden brown and coated in syrup, about 1 hour. Stir gently a couple of times to keep the figs from burning onto the bottom of the pot. Add a pinch of salt, if desired, to tame the sweetness.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the figs into the hot, sterilized jars and top off with syrup, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area, and wait at least 2 days before opening.

FRUIT FLUDEN

Steps:

• Soak whole matzos in wine for 15 minutes. Heat oven to 325 degrees.
• As matzos soak, beat egg whites with salt in a stand mixer on medium high until soft peaks form. Fold in egg yolks until combined and then fold in sugar and matzo meal.
• Heat honey and butter in a small saucepan. Once melted, pour mixture into a 13-inch-by-9-inch-by-2-inch oven-safe baking pan.
• Spoon a layer of the egg batter on a matzo and flip, batter side down, into warmed honey mixture. Repeat with another matzo.
• Cover two more matzos with batter and layer, batter side up. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Top with two plain matzos, and spread 3/4 cup of the strawberry preserves over the layer.
• Form a fourth layer with two plain matzos and top with remaining preserves. Batter remaining two matzos and layer, batter side up.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into rectangles or squares while the fluden is still warm. Serve cold.

FIG FLUDEN

Steps:

• Place the butter or margarine (or butter and vegetable shortening), flour, and salt in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until crumbly and gradually add the water, continuing to process until a ball is formed. Wrap the dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and add the tea bags, the lemon peel and juice, and the cinnamon sticks. Steep for 1-2 minutes and remove the tea bags. Place the figs in the water and poach for about 5 minutes.
• Drain the figs and the lemon peel, reserving the poaching liquid. Then place the figs, the lemon peel, the sugar, the liqueur in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process but do not purée; you want the figs to have texture. Add a tablespoon or so of poaching liquid if the filling is too dry.
• Preheat the oven to 400° and grease a 9-inch-square pan.
• Roll out half the dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Put it in the bottom of the pan (it should not go up the sides), and trim off excess dough. Prick the dough with a fork. Spoon in the fig mixture.
• Roll out the second half of the dough and cover the fig mixture. Prick a few holes in the top and brush with the egg.
• Bake the fluden for about 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden.
• When done, cut the fluden into 16 squares. It is wonderful served warm, with whipped cream or ice cream. Or you can let it cool and eat it as you would a fig bar.

ASHKENAZIC LAYERED PASTRY (FLUDEN)

Steps:

• To make the pastry: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix in the sugar. Cut in the shortening to resemble coarse crumbs. Combine the eggs, water, and vinegar. Stir into the flour mixture until the dough just holds together. Form into a ball. To make the pastry in a food processor: In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and pulse 4 times. Add the shortening and pulse until the consistency of coarse crumbs, about 4 pulses. Combine the eggs, water and vinegar. Add to the flour mixture and pulse until the dough begins to hold together. If the dough is too dry, pulse a little additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time. Form into a ball.
• 2. On a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap or on a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle with the narrow end facing you. Fold the top third of the dough toward you, then fold the bottom third upward. Turn the dough so that a narrow end faces front and roll into a rectangle. Fold in thirds again. Press to hold together. (If the pastry is made without the rolling and folding, it does not turn out as flaky.) Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 4 days, or store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let stand at room temperature until malleable but not soft, about 30 minutes.
• 3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (325°F if using a glass pan). Grease a 13-by-9-inch baking pan.
• 4. Divide the dough into thirds. On a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap or on a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a 13-by-9-inch rectangle. Fit a rectangle into the prepared pan and spread with half of the filling. Repeat the layering with the remaining pastry and filling, ending with pastry.
• 5. Bake for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325°F (300°F if using a glass pan) and bake until golden brown, about 40 additional minutes. Place on a rack and let cool for at least 1 hour. Cover and store at room temperature for 1 to 2 days.
• To make the filling: Combine the nuts and sugar. Spread the jam over the dough and sprinkle with the nut mixture and, if desired, the coconut and/or currants.
• VARIATION
• Sour Cream Flaky Fluden: Omit the vinegar and egg yolks and add 6 tablespoons sour cream.

FIG FLUDEN

Steps:

• Place the butter or margarine (or butter and vegetable shortening), flour, and salt in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until crumbly and gradually add the water, continuing to process until a ball is formed. Wrap the dough in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Bring the water to a boil, then lower the heat and add the tea bags, the lemon peel and juice, and the cinnamon sticks. Steep for 2 minutes and remove the tea bags. Place the figs in the water and poach for about 5 minutes. Drain the figs and the lemon peel, reserving the poaching liquid.
• Place the figs, the lemon peel, the sugar, the liqueur in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process but do not purée; you want the figs to have texture. Add a tablespoon or so of poaching liquid if the filling is too dry.
• Preheat the oven to 400F and grease a 9-inch-square pan. Roll out half the dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Put it in the bottom of the pan (it should not go up the sides), and trim off excess dough. Prick the dough with a fork. Spoon in the fig mixture.
• Roll out the second half of the dough and cover the fig mixture. Prick a few holes in the top and brush with the egg. Bake the fluden for about 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden. When done, cut the fluden into 16 squares.
• It is wonderful served warm, with whipped cream or ice cream or you can let it cool and eat it as you would a fig bar.