Spanish Fig Almond Balls Recipes

FIG AND ALMOND TART

Steps:

• Combine the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, lemon zest, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until blended. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. With the machine running, gradually add the water until moist clumps form. Turn the mixture out onto a work surface and form into a ball. Flatten the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for 1 hour.
• In a clean food processor bowl, combine remaining sugar, almond paste, mascarpone cheese, vanilla extract, and honey. Blend until smooth.
• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a large sheet of parchment paper, roll out the dough into an 11-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a large, heavy baking sheet. Spread the almond filling over the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Arrange the figs on top of the almond filling. Spoon the jam over the figs. Fold the dough border over the filling to form an 8-inch round, pleating the crust loosely and pinching to seal any cracks in the dough.
• Bake the tart until the crust is golden, about 40 minutes. Place the baking sheet on a rack to cool for 10 minutes, then slide a metal spatula under the crust to free the tart from the parchment. Transfer the tart to a platter and serve.
• Cook's Note: To reconstitute dried figs, simmer in water for 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool completely. Strain before using.

SPANISH FIG & ALMOND BALLS

Steps:

• Whizz the almonds in a food processor until most are finely chopped, then tip into a large bowl. Roughly chop the figs, then whizz to a smooth sticky paste. Scrape onto the almonds then, using your hands, mix together well with the dried fruit, brandy, honey and cloves.
• Divide the mixture into 6 and roll into balls. Tip the sesame seeds onto a tray, then roll the balls in them until covered. Cover the tray loosely with a clean tea towel, then leave the fig balls to dry for a week before packaging. Will keep in a cool place for 2 months.

FIG-AND-ALMOND STREUSEL BISCUITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees and position a rack in the top third of the oven. Divide the biscuit dough into 2 balls and refrigerate.
• For the streusel, mix the flour, almonds and sugar in a bowl. Use a pastry cutter to work the almond paste into the dry ingredients.
• Place the butter and figs in a pan over low heat. Cook until the butter is melted and the figs soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the cinnamon and the salt and mix well with a fork.
• Lightly flour a work surface. Roll each ball of dough out into a circle about 1/3-inch thick. Sprinkle the streusel mixture over one circle of the dough. Place the second circle of dough on top and lightly press the circles together.
• With a rolling pin, gently roll the dough to 1/2-inch thick. Using a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter or glass, cut out the biscuits and put them on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.