Fig Spread Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine figs with sugar and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until most of liquid has evaporated and figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a food processor; add lemon juice. Puree until smooth (add up to 1/4 cup additional water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency). Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.

Steps:

• In a med saucepan, combine figs with sugar and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until most of the liquid has evaporated and figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a food processor; add lemon juice.
• Puree until smooth (add up to 1/4 cup additional water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency).
• Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Steps:

• Cut 1 baguette or Italian bread into four 5-to-6-inch pieces; split each piece horizontally.
• Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons Fig Spread on all 8 halves; layer 4 halves with 2 slices prosciutto, 2 thin slices Asiago cheese, and 2 or 3 leaves of arugula. Top with remaining bread halves. Serve.

Steps:

• In a small bowl pour boiling water over figs to cover; let stand 15 minutes. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir together chevre, sour cream, basil, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in drained figs and 1/4 cup almonds. Thin with milk if needed. Cover and chill in refrigerator up to 24 hours.
• To serve, transfer spread to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with remaining almonds and fresh thyme (if using).
• Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.