Glace Figs Dried Figs Recipes

GLACEED FIGS

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, carefully peel figs. Leave stem attached. Bring water and 2 cups sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add figs, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cover partially. Cook at a very low simmer for 15 minutes. Return to a boil, then reduce to a very low simmer for 15 minutes more.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, stir gently, and cook until sugar dissolves. Simmer, undisturbed, until figs are translucent and tender but maintain their shape, about 45 minutes. Let cool in syrup. Drain figs on a wire rack before using.

GLACE FIGS (DRIED FIGS)

Steps:

• Cut stems off figs, wash, prick well all around with fork. Place water, sugar and vinegar in saucepan, stir until sugar dissolves.
• Bring to the boil. Place figs in boiling syrup, reduce heat, simmer very slowly, uncovered 21/2 to 3 hours.
• Drain figs, place on fine wire rack and stand on oven tray.
• Place in dehydrator set at 140°F or 60°C and dehydrate for 24 hours, turning every few hours. They may not take quite as long depending on size of figs and where they are in the dehydrator.

GLAZED FIGS

Steps:

• Halve 2 cups fresh figs and place in a small pot with 2 strips lemon zest and 2 tablespoons each red wine, water and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring, until the figs are soft, 20 to 25 minutes.

DRIED FIGS IN SIMPLE SYRUP

Steps:

• Combine water, orange juice, orange zest, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Add the figs and cook until reconstituted, about 10 minutes.

BRANDIED FIGS

Steps:

• Wash figs a few at a time by quickly dipping them in a bowl of cool water. (Do not soak.) Place in a single layer on a kitchen towel; drain. Sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar evenly in a wide nonreactive pot. Top with figs, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup sugar. Cover; refrigerate at least 12 hours and up to 2 days.
• Place pot over low heat, uncovered, and bring figs to a bare simmer. (Tilt pan from side to side or swirl a bit to help sugar dissolve, but do not stir, or fruit may get damaged.) Partially cover and simmer 10 minutes; remove from heat. Cover; let stand 4 hours.
• Repeat step 2 twice; figs should turn translucent in final simmering stage. (If necessary, allow to simmer longer than 10 minutes in final simmer, until they do.)
• Carefully spoon hot figs into hot sterilized canning jars (ideally pint-size or smaller). Bring syrup to a boil, skimming any scum that rises to surface. Turn off heat; stir in brandy. Taste; add more brandy as desired. Pour hot syrup over fruit to cover. Seal and process in a hot-water bath 10 minutes. Figs can be stored in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.

CHèVRE WITH CANDIED FIGS

Steps:

• 1. Slice the chèvre log, and place on an oven pan. Cut the figs into rounds.
• 2. Pour the balsamic vinegar and sugar into a small pot, and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer until the mixture is reduced and sticks to the back of a spoon.
• 3. If you are using dried figs, place them in the vinegar mixture and let them absorb some of the fluid while the mixture cools.
• 4. Heat the chèvre cheese slices quickly by using your oven's broiler function for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese has slightly started to melt. Place the cheese on a serving plate, and top it with the candied figs and vinegar mixture. Serve warm.
• Simplify:
• You can replace muscavado sugar with brown sugar, honey, or regular sugar. Always taste the mixture since the different sugars have different sweetness, and you might have to add more.
• For a challenge:
• With their peppery honey flavor, Black Mission figs are the best money can buy. Fresh Black Mission figs are only available a few weeks out of the year, so if you happen to come across some, make compotes and freeze for later use.
• Muscovado sugar:
• The sugar is available in light and dark flavors, and is a raw sugar made from sugar canes. Compared with regular refined sugar, it is less processed and high in mineral content. The darker sugar has a liquorish flavor, and the lighter version has a toffee flavor.