Figs Cooked In Merlot Recipes

FIGS IN MERINGUE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 250 degrees. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks on medium speed, about 7 minutes. Reduce the speed to low, and slowly add the confectioners' sugar. Once the sugar is fully incorporated, increase the speed to high; you may need to scrape down the bowl a few times. Whisk until whites are firm but not dry, about 10 minutes more.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the meringue into 4 equal dollops on the parchment, and place 3 fig quarters in the center of each dollop. Using a small offset spatula, smooth the meringue around the bottom of the figs, sealing the bottom of each fig in meringue.
• Place baking sheet with meringue and figs on center rack of oven, and bake until meringues are firm, about 1 hour. Remove baking pan from oven, and, using a spatula, transfer meringues to a serving platter. Serve immediately.

FIGS COOKED IN MERLOT

Steps:

• Place figs in saucepan wide enough so each has room to cook without touching. Add wine, sugar and raspberries if using. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove figs and place three on each of 4 dessert plates. Cut them in half vertically, and let cool.
• Continue heating sauce until it boils and begins to thicken. When it forms a light syrup, pour over figs and serve.

MERLOT-POACHED FIGS WITH VANILLA FROZEN YOGURT

Steps:

• Whisk the merlot, honey, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan until combined. Add the figs, cherries, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer, partially cover, and cook until the fruit plumps, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside to steep, at least 10 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Divide the frozen yogurt among 4 bowls (1/3 cup each) and top with warm or room temperature compote. Serve.

FIGS POACHED IN RED WINE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• With a slotted spoon, transfer figs to a bowl; simmer remaining liquid until reduced to about 1/3 cup, 3 to 5 minutes (liquid should look syrupy and coat the back of a spoon). Pour through a fine-mesh sieve over figs, and let cool slightly. (If refrigerating, bring to room temperature before serving.) Serve figs and syrup over ice cream or whipped ricotta cheese, if desired.

FILET MIGNON WITH MERLOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Boil wine, chicken broth and beef broth in heavy large saucepan over high heat until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 1 hour. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Mix butter and flour in small bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and cracked pepper. Sauté steaks until medium-rare, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to plate. Add shallots, garlic and thyme to skillet; stir 30 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups reduced wine mixture to skillet (reserve remainder for another use). Bring mixture to boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add butter mixture and whisk until smooth. Boil sauce until thick enough to coat spoon, about 2 minutes. Serve steaks with sauce.

MERLOT FILET MIGNON

Steps:

• In a small skillet, cook steaks in 1 tablespoon butter and the olive oil over medium heat until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°), 4-6 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm., In the same skillet, add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup. Add the cream, salt and remaining butter; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and butter is melted, 1-2 minutes. Serve with steaks.

LAMB SHANKS BRAISED IN MERLOT WITH FIGS

Steps:

• Place the lamb shanks in a deep dish with the onions celery, olives, capers, dried figs, black pepper, rosemary and garlic.
• Pour over the merlot and marinate, covered, in the fridge for at least 4 hours-24 hours for preference.
• Remove the shanks from the marinade.
• Reserve the marinade.
• Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan and brown the shanks on all sides.
• Transfer them to a casserole dish.
• Add the tomato paste to the pan and stir over a moderately high heat until it becomes a deep reddish brown colour.
• add the stock and bring to the boil.
• Pour over the meat and add the reserved marinade ingredients.
• Cover and cook at 160c for 2-2 1/2 hours or until the meat is nearly falling foo the bone.
• Season to taste, serve over mash with greens on the side.

FILET WITH A MERLOT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a heavy sauce pan over high heat, combine wine, chicken broth and beef broth. Bring to a boil, and cook until mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about an hour. (This can be prepared a day ahead - cover and refrigerate).
• In a small bowl, mix butter and flour. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper, and saute until medium-rare, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer steaks to a plate.
• Stir shallots, garlic and thyme into skillet. Add 2 cups reduced wine mixture to skillet. Bring mixture to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Whisk in butter mixture until smooth. Boil sauce until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 2 to 3 minutes.

MERLOT-POACHED FIGS WITH VANILLA FROZEN YOGURT

Steps:

• Whisk the merlot, honey, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan until combined.
• Add the figs, cherries, and cinnamon stick.
• Bring to a simmer, partially cover, and cook until the fruit plumps, about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside to steep, at least 10 minutes and up to 2 hours.
• Divide the frozen yogurt among 4 bowls (1/2 cup each) and top with warm or room temperature compote.