Fresh figs are one of the most delightful fruits you’ll ever taste. Their sweet, honeyed flavor and lush texture can be added to a variety of dishes for an added layer of enjoyment.
Cook and bake these succulent figs to enjoy them hot or cold, serve with cheese or nuts, roast with meats, or explore other recipes using them as inspiration. Here are some delicious fig recipes to get you started.
Raw
Figs are deliciously sweet and juicy fruits with tender skin and crunchy seeds. A staple of the Mediterranean diet, they make an excellent addition to salads, desserts and curries alike.
Raw figs are best enjoyed straight from the fruit, without adding anything else. But they also make delicious snacks when sliced thinly and served with cheese and nuts.
Fresh figs are packed with natural sugars, potassium and magnesium while being low in calories. Furthermore, they’re an excellent source of soluble fiber which aids digestion and aids weight loss.
They provide a good source of calcium and iron that help build strong bones. Furthermore, they’re packed with vitamin C and antioxidants which protect against diseases and boost immune function.
If you’re searching for a healthy dessert, why not make fresh fig jam? Just add water and chopped figs to a heavy bottom vessel then cook over low flame for 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens to the consistency of jam.
Fresh figs don’t last long, but dried ones can be kept for months in the refrigerator or dry place. To maximize their shelf-life, pick your dried figs at their ripest stage so they stay plump and moist for as long as possible.
Cooked
Figgy treats on their own are delicious, but they can also be prepared in a variety of ways to enhance flavor and texture. From oven roasting them with brown sugar and cinnamon to sauteing them with almonds or poaching them in red wine, figs make an exquisite addition to any meal!
When you don’t have time to consume a large number of fresh figs at once or simply need to use them up before they go bad, baked fig desserts are the perfect solution! Not only are they light and easy to make, but they make for an impressive dessert for any special occasion!
This deceptively straightforward dessert calls for roasted figs sweetened with brown sugar, cinnamon and honey. Not only are these recipes easy to make but you’ll be delighted at how good they taste!
Another delicious way to enjoy fresh figs is by stewing them. This method allows the fruit to absorb all of its flavors while providing additional fiber and protein.
To make this recipe, you’ll need butter, honey and various fresh figs. Preheat the oven to 350oF and line a baking dish with foil or parchment paper. Place the figs cut-side up in the pan and drizzle with butter-honey mixture.
Baked
Figs are an easy way to add a sweet, tart taste to baked goods. They can replace some or all of the sugar in recipes without adding extra fat and calories. Furthermore, figs contain calcium which has been known to promote bone health.
Baked figs make an elegant appetizer or delicious dessert. Enjoy them on their own with some crusty bread as a starter; top them off with some yoghurt or creme fraiche for dessert; or as part of the side to your meat or game main course.
For an extra special touch with this straightforward roasted fig recipe, add goat cheese and walnuts for some added complexity. The sweet, sour, and salty flavors of goat cheese perfectly balance out the natural sweetness of the figs.
This recipe is incredibly straightforward to make, taking only 15 minutes in the oven. It makes an ideal party appetizer that will surely impress your guests.
To begin, preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Trim each fig and make a cross about halfway down its fruit before placing them in an ovenproof dish. Drizzle each with oil, balsamic and honey before baking for 15 minutes.
After roasting for 10 minutes, remove them from the oven and crumble a chunk of cheese into each fig. Press it into place with your fingertip before returning the dish to the oven where it will continue baking for another 5 to 10 minutes until cheese melts and figs open up to release juice into the dish.
Served with Cheese
When hosting a cheese board for an intimate dinner or grand celebration, there are several ways to serve figs with cheese. As a topping on crackers or other snacks, sprinkle them on top of fondue, or pair them with sliced chicken or steak – there’s no limit!
Figs and cheese make an irresistible combination, adding sweetness to a savory dish. Furthermore, these nutritious fruits provide you with potassium, calcium and fiber – making them the perfect healthy addition to any meal!
Cheese platters are an easy dessert or appetizer that lets you showcase your best ingredients. When selecting cheeses for this platter, select soft creamy varieties like Brie or Camembert; firmer grating-style cheeses like cheddar, gouda or Gruyere; as well as hard cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.
Preparing a cheese plate begins by artistically arranging the items on your board. This could include placing the boards in an attractive dish or setting out small bowls of fruits and nuts for decoration.
Once the board is assembled, cover it with either reusable beeswax wrap or plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least an hour (if your kitchen is particularly warm). When serving time comes around, take out the cheeses from their containers in the fridge and arrange them on the board.
Served with Nuts
Figs make for a delicious snack, whether enjoyed on their own or as an addition to salads, pizzas, cakes and compotes. They pair particularly well with meats such as lamb.
Fates not only boast a delicious flavor, but they’re packed with antioxidants which help fight diseases and slow down aging. Furthermore, figs prevent nutrient deficiencies and boost your immunity. Furthermore, they’re an excellent source of fiber which aids digestion and relieves constipation.
They are high in calcium, potassium and magnesium that can aid weight management. Furthermore, they contain Vitamin K which may prevent blood clots and lower the risk of heart disease.
These nutrients are essential for healthy bones and teeth, so adding dried figs to your daily diet is a wise decision since they contain no added sugar.
Enjoy figs with a variety of nuts, such as walnuts or almonds. The nutty taste of these nuts pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory tastes of the figs for an irresistible combination in salads or snacks.