Fig Preserves Bread Recipes

FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Wash figs gently in cold water.
• Place in a large bowl, fill with cool water and soak for 20 minutes.
• Make a syrup by boiling the sugar and water together in a large saucepan.
• When syrup is clear and just thick, around 15 minutes add figs and lemon slices.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Boil hard 1 minute.
• Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Carefully pour into a blender and pulse to grind figs and lemon slices.
• You may want to cook down for 10 or 15 more minutes to desired thickness.
• Ladle into clean hot sterile jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

REAL FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Dissolve the baking soda in about 2 quarts of cool water, and immerse the figs in the treated water in a large bowl. Gently stir to wash the figs, then drain off the water and rinse the figs thoroughly with fresh cool water. Place the figs into a large pot. Add 1 cup water, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, lemon, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Very gently stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar, keeping the figs intact as much as possible.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the figs are golden brown and coated in syrup, about 1 hour. Stir gently a couple of times to keep the figs from burning onto the bottom of the pot. Add a pinch of salt, if desired, to tame the sweetness.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the figs into the hot, sterilized jars and top off with syrup, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area, and wait at least 2 days before opening.

FRESH FIG BREAD

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Heat the oven to 350 F/180 C/Gas 4. Grease and flour two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans (or 3 small loaf pans).
• In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the eggs. Add the sugar and beat well.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the mashed figs and vegetable oil.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
• Add the flour mixture to the first mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Beat until well blended.
• Fold in chopped pecans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The center may sink slightly while cooling.

FIG PRESERVES BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Beat together first 3 ingredients.
• In another bowl sift together the next 5 ingredients.
• Add to wet ingredients and stir in fig preserves and pecans.
• Spoon into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. (Mine are 5x9).
• Bake for 55-65 minutes.

OLD FASHIONED SOUTHERN STYLE FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Try to select figs of equal ripeness. Wash.
• Cut stems a wee bit around, do not expose inside of figs. If extra ripe, don't worry, just get stem.
• Sugar is measure for measure but I like it rounded for figs. So not quite equal measure.
• Put sugar over figs (and lemon slices). Cover. Put aside until morning. (If you cook right away keep your heat low to begin with.) (Water added here.) Water different for juice. I'd say if over night, it will turn into juice so you won't add much then. If cooking right away, try 1/4 measured to fig measure. I like to have juice to cover figs in jars. Left over juice can be used for another cooking of figs.
• Cook slowly. Makes better figs & syrup. Might be longer cooking. You judge by your syrup thickness. Keep boiling gently. Your bubbles will show a good syrup. Little water can be added if juice gets low. Sometimes 2 or so hours. Try a fig.
• Put in jars but don't seal. Place in hot water bath. Cook until sealed. Will Pop.

SOUTHERN FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Fill a large canning kettle with water and bring to a boil.
• Store in a cool, dark place until ready to enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Wash, trim stems and slice figs into 4th.
• Add first six ingredients to a large pot and let sit about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile boil jars.
• Put flat lids in a small pot of water and boil then turn off the heat.
• On medium heat bring ingredients to a full rolling boil.
• Boil for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in packet of liquid pectin.
• Continue stirring until ingredients come to a full boil. Stop stirring and boil for exactly one minute.
• Remove pot from hot burner.
• Allow preserves to settle.
• Skim foam off top.
• Fill jars.
• Process 20 minutes in a hot water bath.