Oranges And Figs In Spiced Red Wine Recipes

ANDY'S FIGS IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Place figs in a glass or ceramic bowl and pour wine over to cover. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 24 hours or up to 1 week, until figs are soft and plump. Drain and toss with orange zest, if desired.

WINE-POACHED FIGS

Steps:

• Trim and halve the figs, place in a saucepan with the wine, sugar, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the wine is reduced by half and slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the thyme sprigs. Serve on top of an assertive cheese, such as Manchego, blue, Taleggio, or a triple cream spread over bread slices.

FRESH ORANGES WITH SPICED RED WINE SYRUP

Steps:

• Bring wine, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon to boil in large saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 18 minutes. Cool syrup completely. Cover and chill until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)
• Finely grate peel from 2 oranges. Mix peel and 1 tablespoon sugar in small bowl. Using small sharp knife, cut off peel and white pith from all oranges. Working over large bowl, cut between membranes to release segments. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover orange segments and sugared peel separately and chill.) Divide oranges and juice among 8 bowls. Drizzle syrup over and sprinkle with sugared orange peel.

GLüHWEIN (HOT SPICED RED WINE)

Steps:

• Using a toothpick, poke 20 holes all over your orange, then poke the cloves into the holes.
• Add orange to a medium saucepan. Pour the wine into the pan. Add the cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, and 1/3 cup sugar. Stir gently to help dissolve the sugar.
• Turn the heat on medium-low and heat until just below a simmer. Do not boil! Reduce heat to low - just enough to keep warm but again, not simmering or boiling. Cover and let warm over the heat for about 20 minutes, until hot wine is flavored by the spices.
• Stir in the brandy. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Depending on your wine and tastes, you may only need the intial 1/4 cup of sugar, or you may need the entire 2/3 cup.
• Ladle into three large or four smaller mugs, garnish if desired, pass 'em out and and inhale your Glühwein goodness.

SPICED FIGS POACHED IN WINE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the first eight ingredients. Stir in figs. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35-45 minutes or until the figs are tender. Remove figs and set aside., Bring poaching liquid to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Strain into a small bowl; add figs. Cool. Serve with ice cream or yogurt if desired.

ORANGES SIMMERED IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Cut a slice off the top and bottom of each orange to expose the flesh. Cutting from top to bottom, following the contours of the orange, completely remove the peel and white pith. Discard the peel and set the oranges aside. In a saucepan, combine all of the remaining ingredients except the mint leaves. Heat to a simmer. Add the whole peeled oranges and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, turning the oranges every 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature in the liquid, turning occasionally. Chill. To serve, cut each orange crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spread the slices, overlapping them, on small serving plates. (The outsides of the oranges will be redder than the insides.) Drizzle a little liquid over each plate and sprinkle with mint.

POACHED FIGS IN SPICED RED WINE WITH VANILLA GELATO

Steps:

• In a saucepan combine the wine, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Bring the liquid to a boil over moderately high heat, stirring, and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Add the figs and simmer just until figs are heated through. Let cool to warm. Arrange scoops of gelato in two stemmed glasses and top with the figs and some of the poaching liquid. Garnish with mint if desired.

ORANGES IN RED WINE

Steps:

• Divide oranges among 12 (5-to 8-ounces) juice glasses and top with wine. Let stand 5 minutes.